chaotic

adjective

kā-ˈä-tik How to pronounce chaotic (audio)
Definition of chaoticnext
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness a chaotic cellar sorely in need of some straightening up

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 chaotic Good Agile practices create structure around an inherently chaotic process. — Stephen Clark, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The contempt hearing Hoskins’ comments come in the wake of a chaotic redistricting battle that has dominated Missouri politics for the past year. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Passengers described chaotic scenes on board the plane as the plane nosedived. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Passenger accounts described a chaotic scene near the cockpit. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaotic
  1. messy
  2. cluttered
  3. confused
  4. jumbled
  5. sloppy
Adjective
  • Nonna’s Meatball Sandwich Making meatballs at home can be a messy, overwhelming task.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The actors split in 2016, following 12 years together in total, although their messy divorce was only finalized in December 2024.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of messy
Adjective
  • The entrance and exits of Prambanan are also cluttered with vendors selling souvenirs and cold drinks — offering a good opportunity to pick up a bottle of water.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Limit items on surfaces and use trays to avoid a cluttered look.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cluttered
Adjective
  • But one of them, perhaps too slow, or too confused, lingered a second longer, and the claw opened and snapped shut.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But people on the streets of Dorohusk seemed more confused about their options in case of a real attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • Entering the season, two quarterbacks sit in the top tier, followed by a drop-off to the second and third tiers — both of which are crowded and jumbled.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Imagine a termite carving a path like a jumbled ball of string through a tree trunk, instead of an axe cleaving a single vector.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of jumbled
Adjective
  • The Mets allowed four earned runs in an exceptionally sloppy third inning, losing a 3-2 lead.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But that response, or leadership — a trait teammates and coaches see far more from Herbert than the public — is one of several reasons why the Chargers are supporting their quarterback despite the offense’s sloppy start to the season.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of sloppy

Browse Nearby Words

chaoses
chaotic
chaotically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chaotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaotic. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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