1
: marked by chaos or being in a state of chaos : completely confused or disordered
a chaotic political race
After he became famous, his life became even more chaotic.
They may look chaotic and barbaric, but scrums are a critical and strategic part of the game, and they unfold and escalate according to hockey's venerated, unwritten rules of engagement.—
David Fleming
David FlemingTo the uninitiated visitor, the seemingly chaotic energy of a typical Thai market may give the impression of a free-for-all, …—Diane Ruengsom
Diane Ruengsom2
mathematics
: having outcomes that can vary widely due to extremely small changes in initial conditions
In other words, what comes out of the program's equations is extremely sensitive to what goes in. And that, as any mathematician would recognize, is one of the hallmarks of chaotic systems.—Ingrid Wickelgren
Ingrid WickelgrenA physical system—a weather system, say—is chaotic if a very slight change in initial conditions sends the system off on a very different course.—Physics Today
Physics TodayExamples of chaotic in a Sentence
a chaotic cellar sorely in need of some straightening up
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul’s chaotic yet candid nature quickly uplifted her to reality TV icon status, so much so that ABC named her their next star of The Bachelorette.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Dispatch recordings from firefighters who were first on the scene at Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra’s home early Thursday reveal a chaotic and fast-moving fire that left crews scrambling to find water and to contain the spreading flames.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
With its easy-to-slip-on design and timeless silhouette, this pair of boots is perfect for travelers who dread fumbling with laces during the chaotic airport security screenings.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Fundraising failures, coupled with a chaotic rollout and other strategic and outdated marketing missteps, seemed to tank the campaign early on.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
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Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Dispatch recordings from firefighters who were first on the scene at Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra’s home early Thursday reveal a chaotic and fast-moving fire that left crews scrambling to find water and to contain the spreading flames.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
With its easy-to-slip-on design and timeless silhouette, this pair of boots is perfect for travelers who dread fumbling with laces during the chaotic airport security screenings.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Fundraising failures, coupled with a chaotic rollout and other strategic and outdated marketing missteps, seemed to tank the campaign early on.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Cite this Entry
“Chaotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaotic. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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