anarchist

noun an·ar·chist \ ˈa-nər-kist , -ˌnär- \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of anarchist

1 : a person who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power

2 : a person who believes in, advocates, or promotes anarchism or anarchy; especially : one who uses violent means to overthrow the established order

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anarchist

or anarchistic play \ˌa-nər-ˈkis-tik, -(ˌ)när-\ adjective

See anarchist defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of anarchist from the Web

In her living room hang Obama’s commutation order and photos of anarchist Emma Goldman and playwright Oscar Wilde.

— david mcfadden, BostonGlobe.com, "Chelsea Manning’s US Senate bid is unorthodox," 8 May 2018
And in Paris, almost 200 people were arrested after more than 1,000 anarchists threw petrol bombs and riot police deployed water cannons, according to NPR.

— christianna silva, Teen Vogue, "Portland, Oregon, Celebrated May Day 2018 With a Community Picnic," 2 May 2018
The two started Open Source in April 2017 after Warren saw a video of anarchists in Portland patching their city's streets.

— USA TODAY, "Two guys were tired of waiting for the city to fill potholes, so they're doing it themselves," 8 Apr. 2018
In the afternoon, a small crowd of anarchists threw stones at police officers, who responded with tear gas, but the unrest was brief and isolated.

— niki kitsantonis, New York Times, "Greeks Protest to Defend Right to the Name ‘Macedonia’," 4 Feb. 2018
Since 2000, a mishmash of anarchists, socialists and others opposed to capitalism's excesses have flooded downtown each May 1 to observe a day dedicated to workers' rights, a cause celebrated worldwide.

— shane dixon kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "After last year's melee, Portland's anti-capitalists throw May Day picnic," 30 Apr. 2018
The two started Open Source in April 2017 after Warren saw a video of anarchists in Portland patching their city's streets.

— USA TODAY, "Two guys were tired of waiting for the city to fill potholes, so they're doing it themselves," 8 Apr. 2018
The two started Open Source in April 2017 after Warren saw a video of anarchists in Portland patching their city's streets.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Two guys tired of waiting for the city to fill potholes, so they're doing it themselves," 7 Apr. 2018
The most heart is shown in the relationship between the outrageous drag queen Angel, played with flair by Aaron Alcaraz, and Collins, the anarchist professor performed with a quiet dignity by Josh Walker.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "Revival of "Rent" at the Saenger energized but lacks impact, heart," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anarchist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anarchist

see anarchy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

ANARCHIST Defined for English Language Learners

anarchist

noun

Definition of anarchist for English Language Learners

: a person who believes that government and laws are not necessary

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Spanish Central: Translation of anarchist Nglish: Translation of anarchist for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of anarchist for Arabic speakers

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