Vocabulary in context
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Anarchy
A state of society without government or law; political disorder.
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Imagine This
An archer goes crazy and shoots his arrows aimlessly throughout the city. The city is in total disorder.
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Sounds Like
AN-uh-kee
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Looks Like
An archer
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Remember This
Etymology reveals the meaning: 'an-' = without, 'archy' = rule. Related roots include monarchy, oligarchy, patriarchy.
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Other Forms
Anarchistnoun
Anarchicadjective
Anarchynoun
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Connect With
disorder, chaos, lawlessness, governance, authority, anarchism
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Note
Anarchy denotes absence of a governing authority, not just general chaos. Be careful to distinguish from anarchism, which is a political philosophy advocating for stateless societies. Use 'anarchy' to describe political conditions, not merely a messy situation.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- After the overthrow of the government, the country slipped into anarchy.
- Without police presence, the city descended into anarchy and looting began.
Synonyms
chaosdisorderlawlessnessturmoilanomie
Antonyms
orderstabilitygovernance
Etymology
From Greek anarchía 'without a ruler,' from an- 'without' + arkhē 'rule'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: AN-archy = without a ruler. Visualize a city with a big sign saying 'No one in charge' and everyone doing as they please.
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Preclude
verbTo prevent something from happening; to make something impossible.
Trenchant
adjectiveHaving a sharp, clear, and penetrating quality in expression or analysis; cutting or biting in a critique or argument.
Rancor
nounLong-lasting, bitter resentment or ill will toward someone, often persisting over time.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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