variants
also anarchical
as in rebellious
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the citywide blackouts caused anarchic looting and rioting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 anarchic
In the ’90s, when Letterman took that vibe to CBS to launch The Late Show, his replacement, Conan O’Brien, brought an anarchic, surreal approach that went on to influence a new generation of comedians.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Formed in the late 2010s, the band was inspired by the anarchic creativity of Japanese noise acts like Melt-Banana, Solmania, and Boredoms.
—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
14 Apr. 2026
Europe’s three major institutions, Bologna, Paris and Oxford, welcomed between 1,000 and 2,500 students each in these early decades, and conditions were sprawling, anarchic and provisional.
—
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Stella Marie Markert | Germany Canadian Premiere Four teens living in a Berlin group home have created their own anarchic utopia.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anarchic
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Formed in the late 2010s, the band was inspired by the anarchic creativity of Japanese noise acts like Melt-Banana, Solmania, and Boredoms.
—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
14 Apr. 2026
Europe’s three major institutions, Bologna, Paris and Oxford, welcomed between 1,000 and 2,500 students each in these early decades, and conditions were sprawling, anarchic and provisional.
—
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Stella Marie Markert | Germany Canadian Premiere Four teens living in a Berlin group home have created their own anarchic utopia.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anarchic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anarchic
Adjective
-
This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
-
In 2000 at age 15, he was sent to live in Australia with a host family because his father thought Zhang was too rebellious to stay in China.
Adjective
-
As Hinkley’s family and fiancée mourn the loss of a young man who still had his entire future ahead of him, prosecutors emphasized the scrutiny applied when criminal allegations involve an on-duty law enforcement officer.
-
Foketi was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment and misdemeanor domestic violence.
Adjective
-
Their charges reportedly include assaulting a police officer, disorderly behavior in a police station, disorderly behavior, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm and two counts of damage and obstruction.
-
She was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center and was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, breach of peace/disorderly intoxication.
Adjective
-
So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
-
Australian Federal Police via AP Six others allegedly involved in the importation of the cocaine had previously been arrested and charged with offenses related to illicit drugs possession, police said.
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.
Adjective
-
Coming later this year, Bass X Macina is set in a lawless Steampunk West overrun by brutal outlaws, machines and supernatural terrors, while Sparks of Tomorrow follows how technological progress evolved along a different path shaped by steam power blankets Kyoto in smoke.
-
The sport, back then, was all but lawless.
Cite this Entry
“Anarchic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anarchic. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
