anarchic

adjective

an·​ar·​chic a-ˈnär-kik 

ə-

variants or less commonly anarchical

a-ˈnär-ki-kəl 

ə-

1

a

: of, relating to, or advocating anarchy

b

: likely to bring about anarchy

anarchic violence

2

: lacking order, regularity, or definiteness

anarchic art forms

anarchically

a-ˈnär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

ə-

adverb

Synonyms

• disorderly
• lawbreaking
• lawless
• unruly

Examples of anarchic in a Sentence

the citywide blackouts caused anarchic looting and rioting

Recent Examples on the Web

The scene-stealing sequence paved the way for him being cast in an anarchic 1970 war comedy called MASH, where he was paired up with Elliott Gould as Korean War surgeons trying to stay sane amidst the insanity, blood and death. —Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2024

In that political climate, a group of anarchic raiders known as the Nihil emerge. —Jack Francis, Vulture, 5 June 2024

In a world rendered more anarchic by its policy choices, Washington might do okay, for a time. —Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2024

For one night only, those anarchic texts and sounds were brought to life by dozens of Yale actors. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from New Latin anarchicus, from Medieval Latin anarchia anarchy + Latin -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

anarchic

adjective

an·​ar·​chic a-ˈnär-kik 

ə-

: of or relating to anarchy

anarchically

-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb