What does "anarchism" mean?
A political and philosophical belief that all forms of government are undesirable, unnecessary, or unethical, and as such that society would function without a state.
Anarchism
/ˈanəkɪz(ə)m/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A political and philosophical belief that all forms of government are undesirable, unnecessary, or unethical, and as such that society would function without a state.
- Grammar: anarchism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: anarchist movement, anarchist philosophy, anarcho-syndicalism, anarchy.
- Useful contrasts: authoritarian rule, authoritarianism, central government.
- Usage evidence: Communism and anarchism are the fruits of the same poisonous tree.
How to use "anarchism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "anarchism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "anarchism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "anarchism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A political and philosophical belief that all forms of government are undesirable, unnecessary, or unethical, and as such that society would function without a state. uncountable, usually
"Der Anarchismus ist die rechtsphilosophische Verneinung des Staates, das heisst diejenige Art der rechtsphilotopbischen Staatslehren, welche den Staat verneint."
- 2 a political theory favoring the abolition of governments wordnet
- 3 A political and philosophical belief that proposes the establishment of a stateless society as well as the abolition of authority and hierarchy in most or all forms. broadly, uncountable, usually
"Opposed as it is to authority and hierarchy, anarchism is typically associated with chaos and disorder, and thus often connected with violence and terror. The means by which to achieve a nonhierarchical society animate debates within anarchism."
- 4 The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body. rare, uncountable, usually
"By now the evils of the governments born of twentieth-century revolutions have been documented. And so anarchism – the absence of government, the direct administration by people of their own lives – is still intact as an ideal, for it has never been tried."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Communism and anarchism are the fruits of the same poisonous tree."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "anarchism"?
Common synonyms include: anarchist movement, anarchist philosophy, anarcho-syndicalism, anarchy, anti-statism, anti-statist movement.
How do you use "anarchism" in a sentence?
Communism and anarchism are the fruits of the same poisonous tree.
How do you pronounce "anarchism"?
Pronounced /ˈanəkɪz(ə)m/.
Etymology
From anarchy + -ism.