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

Naturally, the media hyped the event as Bart versus Bill, a showdown between one show’s wholesome family values and the other’s brash, boorish cynicism — the aspirational ’80s facing off against the anarchic ’90s. —Darryn King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024

Realists accept some moral obligations but see them as severely limited by the harsh reality of anarchic politics. —Joseph S. Nye Jr., Foreign Affairs, 30 Nov. 2023

Their just cause is hijacked by an extremist within their ranks, who is ready to murder everyone in the building to send his anarchic message to the world. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2024

Christmas Vacation excels best in the chaos, from Clark’s yuppie neighbors being perpetually tormented by him to the anarchic family dinners (blissfully unaware Aunt Bethany is our personal MVP). —EW.com, 30 Nov. 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