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
Lawler’s Suzy is a poignant mass of fierce intellect and crushing vulnerability, of resolute determination and emotional chaos.
—
Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
Despite the chaos of the Rumble, Cena took time out of his schedule to have a one-on-one conversation with Hendry.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The chaos unfolded against a backdrop of growing fear among immigrants in New Jersey.
—Tracey Tully, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2025
The perpetrators who drove the chaos at the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building have been duly tried and convicted for their terrible and treasonous acts.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chaos 
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Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
Despite the chaos of the Rumble, Cena took time out of his schedule to have a one-on-one conversation with Hendry.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The chaos unfolded against a backdrop of growing fear among immigrants in New Jersey.
—Tracey Tully, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2025
The perpetrators who drove the chaos at the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building have been duly tried and convicted for their terrible and treasonous acts.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
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 14 Feb. 2025.
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