1
: marked by chaos or being in a state of chaos : completely confused or disordered
a chaotic political race
After he became famous, his life became even more chaotic.
They may look chaotic and barbaric, but scrums are a critical and strategic part of the game, and they unfold and escalate according to hockey's venerated, unwritten rules of engagement.—
David Fleming
David FlemingTo the uninitiated visitor, the seemingly chaotic energy of a typical Thai market may give the impression of a free-for-all, …—Diane Ruengsom
Diane Ruengsom2
mathematics
: having outcomes that can vary widely due to extremely small changes in initial conditions
In other words, what comes out of the program's equations is extremely sensitive to what goes in. And that, as any mathematician would recognize, is one of the hallmarks of chaotic systems.—Ingrid Wickelgren
Ingrid WickelgrenA physical system—a weather system, say—is chaotic if a very slight change in initial conditions sends the system off on a very different course.—Physics Today
Physics TodaySynonyms
Examples of chaotic in a Sentence
a chaotic cellar sorely in need of some straightening up
Recent Examples on the Web
The last decade has been chaotic in both wonderful and horrible ways, but through all the madness and two children my husband Capricorned it up and kept the family on track and moving forward.
—Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
The shoot was chaotic, THR reported in real time, with key creative talent quitting or being fired along the way; and this week The Guardian quoted sources from the set who suggested that Coppola made unwanted advances towards actresses.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
Another shot at the shot The end of Game 7 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in the bubble in 2020 was … chaotic.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2024
The preliminary report details the chaotic moments prior to the bridge collapse while crew members scrambled to address a series of electrical failures that came in quick succession as disaster loomed.
—Lea Skene, Fortune, 15 May 2024
Staff shortages, high demand, financial priorities Almost a dozen doctors and researchers described the chaotic situation in ERs.
—Judith Graham, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
Although the lead-up to the grand final proved to be chaotic, the main event was a relatively smooth affair.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 12 May 2024
College sports are undergoing tremendous change with women’s sports growing fast, football team schedules turning chaotic, transfer portals opening up for those who want to ply their trade at a different school, and student-athletes quickly mastering how to make money from the evolving system.
—Jim Martin, The Denver Post, 10 May 2024
The scene turns chaotic as the boats speed through the curve within yards of each other and geysers of whitewater and churning wakes fill the space around them.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
The shoot was chaotic, THR reported in real time, with key creative talent quitting or being fired along the way; and this week The Guardian quoted sources from the set who suggested that Coppola made unwanted advances towards actresses.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
Another shot at the shot The end of Game 7 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in the bubble in 2020 was … chaotic.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2024
The preliminary report details the chaotic moments prior to the bridge collapse while crew members scrambled to address a series of electrical failures that came in quick succession as disaster loomed.
—Lea Skene, Fortune, 15 May 2024
Staff shortages, high demand, financial priorities Almost a dozen doctors and researchers described the chaotic situation in ERs.
—Judith Graham, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
Although the lead-up to the grand final proved to be chaotic, the main event was a relatively smooth affair.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 12 May 2024
College sports are undergoing tremendous change with women’s sports growing fast, football team schedules turning chaotic, transfer portals opening up for those who want to ply their trade at a different school, and student-athletes quickly mastering how to make money from the evolving system.
—Jim Martin, The Denver Post, 10 May 2024
The scene turns chaotic as the boats speed through the curve within yards of each other and geysers of whitewater and churning wakes fill the space around them.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chaotic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chaotic
Cite this Entry
“Chaotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaotic. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share