anarchy

/ˈæn.ə.ki/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: anarchies

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body.

Noun

Examples

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’habitu

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A chaotic and confusing absence of any form of political authority or government.

Noun

Examples

And each dweller, panic-stricken, Felt his heart with terror sicken Hearing the tempestuous cry Of the triumph of Anarchy.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “anarchy” mean?

The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body.

Is “anarchy” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.