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

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

In the wilds of digital culture, gay panic roams in more anarchic forms. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 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

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