chaos

noun

cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs How to pronounce chaos (audio)
Synonyms of chaos
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
or Chaos : 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)
3
obsolete : chasm, abyss

Synonyms of chaos

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For this leaner, meaner Deafheaven, stylistic variety takes a backseat to speed and chaos, and when properly executed, subtle melodic or rhythmic tweaks wield the heft of the more tectonic transitions in the band’s defining songs. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 Eighteen months of trade chaos and tariff whiplash have added another variable to the already delicate calculation of what to carry, how much to order, which vendors to back and when to walk away. — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 For a master of chaos, MAH looks remarkably calm on a video call from his Tokyo studio. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026 Out of the chaos and bloodshed of the war, an opportunity for English-speaking Syrians had emerged, a dangerous but well-paid role for those who were willing to take foreign journalists to the front lines. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaos

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek — more at gum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of chaos was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing chaos

Browse Nearby Words

Chao Phraya
chaos
Chaoshan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chaos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaos. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chaos

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chaos

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