anarchy

noun

ˈa-nər-kē How to pronounce anarchy (audio)
Definition of anarchynext
as in chaos
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority the anarchy that the country experienced after the dictator drained the treasury and fled the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anarchy Both had an opportunity to make a change after the anarchy of a 9-6 series opener. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 May 2026 Knicks fans have been leaning into the joke, posting TikTok edits foreshadowing Gotham-like anarchy. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 27 May 2026 Through gleeful anarchy, a variety of filters, and a kinetic score, the two Maries spoil themselves with sweets, outwit suitors, and desecrate the rituals of fine dining in a glorious climax of rebellion. — Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026 The academic anarchy was touched off Thursday afternoon when operators of online education platform Canvas, used in K-12 schools and colleges across the globe, were forced to shut down after a hacker’s intrusion. — Griffin Eckstein, NBC news, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for anarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anarchy
  1. chaos
  2. unrest
  3. lawlessness
  4. turmoil
  5. misrule
Noun
  • Summer uses a family trip to a Caribbean resort to cause chaos and sabotage the relationship.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • But lately, the chaos in the United States made the song seem regrettably apropos.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of chaos
Noun
  • Chevron benefits from unrest in the Middle East and other factors that can elevate energy prices.
    — Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Shows of extravagance like these have not been met with kindness in a world torn by war, inflation, soaring gas prices and political unrest.
    — Marc Malkin, Variety, 2 July 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • Americans are accustomed to showing wide deference to senior military leaders, treating them as dutiful public servants rather than possible enablers of presidential lawlessness.
    — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • Ramaphosa accused these groups of exploiting migration anxieties to sow division through lawlessness and violence.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
Definition of lawlessness
Noun
  • The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America.
    — Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Political turmoil intensifies as resignations, Russia’s rising threat and pressure from a skeptical United States leave Britain’s next leader to prove the plan can truly safeguard Europe.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of turmoil
Noun
  • Expectations are now rising over the role the United States will play in helping Venezuela, which had already been laid low by decades of misrule.
    — Emma Bubola Jenna Russell Raj Saha Adam Liptak, New York Times, 27 June 2026
  • The engineer said decades of misrule have been hard on Iranians.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of misrule

Browse Nearby Words

anarchs
anarchy
anathema
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anarchy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of anarchy for Spanish Speakers

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