anarchist

noun

an·​ar·​chist ˈa-nər-kist How to pronounce anarchist (audio)
-ˌnär-
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
anarchist adjective
or anarchistic

Examples of anarchist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Italy's special police unit Digos is leading an investigation looking into the possibility that anarchists set fire to the cars on the eastern outskirts of the Italian capital, a security source said. USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 Instead of undermining the state by killing off plutocrats and presidents, anarchists ended up strengthening it. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 Today’s fascination with destruction and disruption is continuous with the passion of the anarchists. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 And the Shelton factory would not have been on even the most inept anarchist’s to-hit list. Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anarchist

Word History

Etymology

anarchy + -ist entry 1; as a proponent of a political theory after French anarchiste.

Note: The use of the French words anarchisme and anarchiste in reference to political theory are associated with Pierre-Joseph proudhon. In his first major work, Qu'est-ce que la propriété? Recherche sur le principe du droit et du gouvernement (Paris, 1840), Proudhon used anarchiste (p.229), but not anarchisme.

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anarchist was in 1646

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Cite this Entry

“Anarchist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anarchist. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

anarchist

noun
an·​ar·​chist ˈan-ər-kəst How to pronounce anarchist (audio)
-ˌär-
: a person who believes in anarchism or anarchy or practices anarchy
anarchist adjective
or anarchistic

More from Merriam-Webster on anarchist

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