chaos

noun

ˈkā-ˌäs How to pronounce chaos (audio)
Definition of chaosnext
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order the boy's room is in such chaos that it looks as though a tornado had struck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 chaos Kateri’s section is quieter and methodical like its central hero, who slips undetected among this community to sow her chaos and reap her revenge. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026 The irony, of course, is that this very haphazardness is orchestrated by Dante, who is putting all the references together with intention — the intention of creating the illusion of no intention, of chaos. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026 In IconArrows pointing outwards The CNBC chart above captures the chaos, as the back and forth drama continues around the Strait. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 Then came the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and with it, a new era of chaos and discord. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaos
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaos
  1. havoc
  2. mess
  3. jumble
  4. confusion
  5. hell
  6. disorder
Noun
  • The tropical storm hit Japan days after Typhoon Dolphin created havoc in parts of southern Japan, paralyzing traffic and sending hundreds to take shelter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the center of the effort was sixth-year linebacker Nick Bolton, the quarterback of the unit, who focused on galvanizing the troops to create havoc and slow down an offense that had been humming earlier in the frame.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Washable Orthopedic Dog Bed A versatile, waterproof dog bed mat that’s great for crates, travel and high-mess pups.
    — Jessica Moore, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Be careful to not use too much, or you’ll be left with a soapy mess.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of jumble
Noun
  • Clear terms keep care from turning into confusion later on today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The confusion comes from treating two different problems as one.
    — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • Minamoto Yoshitsune was a strategist who went to hell and took it over, defeating the Oni who guarded hell.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Goldberg has long been open about attempting to get another Sister Act movie off the ground, with Goldberg even previously listing Palmer as part of her dream cast for Sister Act 3, which has been stuck in development hell for years.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • A number of cardiovascular conditions—including atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder—are linked to cardiac neurons.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The study connected gut inflammation in 12 children to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of disorder

Browse Nearby Words

chants
chaos
chaoses
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Cite this Entry

“Chaos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaos. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chaos

Nglish: Translation of chaos for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chaos

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