What does "anarchist" mean?
One who believes in or advocates the absence of hierarchy and authority in most forms (compare anarchism), especially one who works toward the realization of such.
Anarchist
/ˈæn.ə.kɪst/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who believes in or advocates the absence of hierarchy and authority in most forms (compare anarchism), especially one who works toward the realization of such.
- Grammar: anarchist is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: activist, advocate of anarchism, anarch, anarchists.
- Useful contrasts: order-preserving official, authoritarian, authoritarian rhetoric.
- Usage evidence: Denying she was an anarchist, Katja maintained she wished only to make changes in our government, not to destroy it.
How to use "anarchist"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "anarchist" 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 "anarchist" 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 "anarchist" is acting as adj, 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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Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who believes in or advocates the absence of hierarchy and authority in most forms (compare anarchism), especially one who works toward the realization of such.
"Eh bien ! vous êtes démocrate ? — Non. — Quoi ! vous seriez monarchique ? — Non. — Constitutionnel ? — Dieu m’en garde. — Vous êtes donc aristocrate ? — Point du tout. — Vous voulez un gouvernement mixte ? — Encore moins. — Qu’êtes-vous donc ? — Je suis anarchiste."
- 2 an advocate of anarchism wordnet
- 3 One who disregards laws and social norms as a form of rebellion against authority.
- 4 One who promotes chaos and lawlessness. broadly
"You have heard that Anarchists throw bombs, that they believe in violence, and that Anarchy means disorder and chaos."
- 5 One who resents outside control or influence on their life, in particular a government, and therefore desires the absence of political control.
Adjective
- 1 Relating to anarchism or to anarchists; anarchistic. rare
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Denying she was an anarchist, Katja maintained she wished only to make changes in our government, not to destroy it."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "anarchist"?
Common synonyms include: activist, advocate of anarchism, anarch, anarchists, anarcho-syndicalist, anti-authoritarian.
How do you use "anarchist" in a sentence?
Denying she was an anarchist, Katja maintained she wished only to make changes in our government, not to destroy it.
How do you pronounce "anarchist"?
Pronounced /ˈæn.ə.kɪst/.
Etymology
From French anarchiste, from Ancient Greek ἀναρχία (anarkhía) from the roots ἀν- (an-, “without”) + ἀρχή (arkhḗ, “rule”), equivalent to anarchy + -ist.