anarchic

adjective

an·​ar·​chic a-ˈnär-kik 

ə-

variants or less commonly anarchical

a-ˈnär-ki-kəl 

ə-

1

a

: of, relating to, or advocating anarchy

b

: likely to bring about anarchy

anarchic violence

2

: lacking order, regularity, or definiteness

anarchic art forms

anarchically

a-ˈnär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

ə-

adverb

Synonyms of anarchic

• rebellious
• criminal
• disorderly
• illicit
• illegal
• lawless

Examples of anarchic in a Sentence

the citywide blackouts caused anarchic looting and rioting

Recent Examples on the Web

Generally ticked off at his situation, Ben navigates sewers, gets blown up a few times and sprints a lot in his quest to stay alive, occasionally doing anarchic selfie-cam videos that grow more unhinged. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025

The program expands beyond Toei to highlight the anarchic spirit and genre experimentation that defined the movement. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

For all his anarchic uncontrollability, Buzz is a natural leader — someone that everyone else immediately defines himself in relation to — and Farrell is perfectly cast on that score. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

Lanthimos’ films written with Filippou are dark, odd and abrasive, but unpredictable and anarchic in a strangely enchanting way. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from New Latin anarchicus, from Medieval Latin anarchia anarchy + Latin -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for anarchic

• hierarchic
• oligarchic

Kids Definition

anarchic

adjective

an·​ar·​chic a-ˈnär-kik 

ə-

: of or relating to anarchy

anarchically

-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb