1
a
: a state of utter confusion
the blackout caused chaos throughout the city
b
: a confused mass or mixture
a chaos of television antennas
2
a
often capitalized
: a state of things in which chance is supreme
especially
: the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms compare cosmos
b
: the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (such as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)
Synonyms
Examples of chaos in a Sentence
The loss of electricity caused chaos throughout the city.
When the police arrived, the street was in total chaos.
The country had descended into economic chaos.
Recent Examples on the Web
Then Mayor Eric Adams appointed her to oversee about 49,000 employees at a law enforcement agency still emerging from chaos and turmoil — and the departures of three commissioners since June 2023.
—
Maria Cramer, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2024
In the 2000s, when the new capitalist order took hold after the wild, post-soviet freedom and chaos, Kranin had to close his non-commercial endeavor.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The martial law declaration, the first such measure in more than four decades, triggered political chaos in an established democracy and major U.S. ally, resulting in 11 uncertain and stressful days for ordinary South Koreans.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 14 Dec. 2024
In the chaos, Givens’ mom appeared and comforted Givens’ other children, 8-year-old Journey and 6-year-old Marcus.
—John Diedrich, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chaos 
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Maria Cramer, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2024
In the 2000s, when the new capitalist order took hold after the wild, post-soviet freedom and chaos, Kranin had to close his non-commercial endeavor.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The martial law declaration, the first such measure in more than four decades, triggered political chaos in an established democracy and major U.S. ally, resulting in 11 uncertain and stressful days for ordinary South Koreans.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 14 Dec. 2024
In the chaos, Givens’ mom appeared and comforted Givens’ other children, 8-year-old Journey and 6-year-old Marcus.
—John Diedrich, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chaos
Dictionary Entries Near chaos
Cite this Entry
“Chaos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaos. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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