as in chaos
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority
the anarchy that the country experienced after the dictator drained the treasury and fled the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of anarchy
In the American Colonies, many people saw Williams’ Rhode Island colony as a land of dangerous anarchy.
—
Christopher Schelin, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
From ancient sources philosophers and poets, democrats and demagogues, found justification for everything from anarchy to fascism, and there are reasons for both justifications.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Invariably, anarchy reigns both on stage and off in the wings, usually exacerbated by the triangular tensions — sometimes romantic, sometimes simply professional — produced between the weekly celebrity guest, Kermit and Miss Piggy.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Throwing one’s hands up, in resignation or indifference, captures the anarchy that seems to characterize our digital lives.
—Roger J. Kreuz, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anarchy
Christopher Schelin, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
From ancient sources philosophers and poets, democrats and demagogues, found justification for everything from anarchy to fascism, and there are reasons for both justifications.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Invariably, anarchy reigns both on stage and off in the wings, usually exacerbated by the triangular tensions — sometimes romantic, sometimes simply professional — produced between the weekly celebrity guest, Kermit and Miss Piggy.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Throwing one’s hands up, in resignation or indifference, captures the anarchy that seems to characterize our digital lives.
—Roger J. Kreuz, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anarchy
Noun
-
The bullpen chaos has only added to the wild ride, with many different players playing a role.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Educators are overhauling their classroom management approach to cut down on the chaos.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
That is, up until the 1911 census, after which unrest put the practice on pause.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That includes defending Congress’s role on war powers and stopping ICE’s lawlessness.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The move comes after the spring-break-reminiscent event has been marred by tragedy and lawlessness in previous years.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The bloc has been forging new trade relationships, like an expansive trade agreement with the European Union, in the wake of the tariff turmoil that has seen many of America’s closest trade ties unravel.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
On the surface, Middle of Nowhere outlines the turmoil before and after an ex’s disappearing act.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The engineer said decades of misrule have been hard on Iranians.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Goetz understood this disorder not as the product of scant civic resources or state retreat but rather as the result of liberal misrule—do-gooder bureaucrats, failed social programs, and a city that had coddled the undeserving and the criminal.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anarchy. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
