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.
Steiner said a mass of glacial ice dropping from a great height could have felt like a bomb exploding, resulting in the chaos that followed. — Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Amid the carnage and chaos, and her desperate outreach to authorities and locals, Sharma sent a message to her missing parents themselves. — Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 Duran finally put an end to the chaos when the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the 11th, crushing his second career grand slam 412 feet to center field. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Less than an hour after the chaos began, the front of the house was fully engulfed in flames. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chaos

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chaos

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