anarchy
noun /ˈænəki/
/ˈænərki/
[uncountable]- a situation in a country, an organization, etc. in which there is no government, order or control
- The overthrow of the military regime was followed by a period of anarchy.
- There was complete anarchy in the classroom when their usual teacher was away.
Extra ExamplesTopics Politicsc2- Our nation is descending into anarchy.
- If prices rise the country could slide into anarchy.
- The defeat of the government would lead to anarchy.
- The country plunged into virtual anarchy and economic collapse.
- The high number of strikes resulted in near anarchy.
- The strikes brought the city to the brink of anarchy.
- The parties joined forces to save the country from anarchy.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- total
- near
- …
- bring
- cause
- create
- …
- reign
- the brink of anarchy
- the edge of anarchy
Word Originmid 16th cent.: via medieval Latin from Greek anarkhia, from anarkhos, from an- ‘without’ + arkhos ‘chief, ruler’.