Anarchy
/ˈænərki/
nounIntermediate📊CommonPolitical
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
A state of disorder due to the absence or non-recognition of authority.
/ˈænərki/
nounnegativeIntermediate
Political
Absence of government or control.
The city descended into anarchy after the earthquake.
💡 Simply: No rules or government.
More Examples
2
His actions caused anarchy in the classroom.
How It's Used
Political Science
"The revolution plunged the country into a state of anarchy."
Sociology
"The lack of rules led to social anarchy."
From late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin anarchia, from Greek anarkhia ‘lack of ruler’, from an- ‘without’ + arkhos ‘ruler’.
The word 'anarchy' has been used since the late Middle Ages to describe periods of social and political disorder, but its modern usage is often more nuanced, encompassing both negative and positive interpretations depending on context.
Memory tip
Think 'an' (without) and 'archy' (rule) - without rule.
Word Origin
LanguageGreek
Original meaning
"without ruler"
state of anarchydescent into anarchyanarchy reigns
Common misspellings
anarchy
Practice
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written