What does "anarchy" mean?
The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body.
Anarchy
/ˈæ.nə.ki/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body.
- Grammar: anarchy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: disorder, lawlessness, absence of government, aloofness.
- Useful contrasts: academic policy, academic structure, administrative practice.
- Usage evidence: The country was in a state of anarchy at that time.
How to use "anarchy"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "anarchy" 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 "anarchy" 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
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "anarchy" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "anarchy" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "anarchy" 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
Compare it with "disorder" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "anarchy", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
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 The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body. uncountable
"La propriété et la royauté sont en démolition dès le commencement du monde ; comme l’homme cherche la justice dans l’égalité, la société cherche l’ordre dans l’anarchie. Anarchie, absence de maître, de souverain, telle est la forme de gouvernement dont nous approchons tous les jours, et que l’habitude invétérée de prendre l’homme pour règle et sa volonté pour loi nous fait regarder comme le comble du désordre et l’expression du chaos."
- 2 a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government) wordnet
- 3 The political theory that a community is best organized by the voluntary cooperation of individuals, rather than by a government, which is regarded as being coercive by nature. rare, uncountable
"Своею полемикою против них мы довели их до сознания, что свобода или анархия, т. е. вольная организация рабочих масс снизу вверх, есть окончательная цель общественного развития, и что всякое государство, не исключая и их народного, есть ярмо, значит с одной стороны порождает деспотизм, а с другой рабство. Они говорят, что такое государственное ярмо-диктатура есть необходимое переходное средство для достижения полнейшего народного освобождения: анархия или свобода — цель, государство или диктатура — средство. Итак для освобождения народных масс надо их сперва поработить."
- 4 A chaotic and confusing absence of any form of political authority or government. countable
"And each dweller, panic-stricken, Felt his heart with terror sicken Hearing the tempestuous cry Of the triumph of Anarchy."
- 5 Confusion in general; disorder. countable, uncountable
"It was total anarchy in the clothes shop on Black Friday as soon as they opened the doors."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
academic policyacademic structureadministrative practicebabylonian law
Example
"The country was in a state of anarchy at that time."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "anarchy"?
Common synonyms include: disorder, lawlessness, absence of government, aloofness, amorphia, amorphism.
How do you use "anarchy" in a sentence?
The country was in a state of anarchy at that time.
How do you pronounce "anarchy"?
Pronounced /ˈæ.nə.ki/.
Etymology
From New Latin anarchia, from Ancient Greek ἀναρχία (anarkhía). By surface analysis, an- + -archy.