anarchism

noun

an·​ar·​chism ˈa-nər-ˌki-zəm 

-ˌnär-

1

: a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups

2

: the advocacy or practice of anarchistic principles

Examples of anarchism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the dawn of the 20th century, anarchism was not the nihilistic chaos the term may bring to mind today. —Geoffrey Baym, The Conversation, 5 May 2025

Catholicism offers ritual without the tedium of rationality; anarchism offers revolutionary action against inequality without the taint of materialism, the prospect of personal gain. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

McKinley lived at a time when economic recessions were not uncommon and anarchism was on the rise. —Aroop Mukharji, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2025

With Marxism tainted by its aggressive materialism, and mere democratic socialism so mere, anarchism could be imagined as a series of defiant spiritual acts. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

anarchy + -ism; as a political theory after French anarchisme

Note: See note at anarchist.

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

anarchism

noun

an·​ar·​chism ˈan-ər-ˌkiz-əm 

-ˌär-

: a political theory that government is not necessary