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)
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
The series followed a group of over-the-top contestants vying for Flav’s affection through outrageous challenges, dramatic eliminations, and plenty of chaos.
—
Emily Price, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
People are angry’: Fear and chaos grip San Diego’s 47,000-strong federal workforce
‘People are frustrated.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
At the same time, information about the possible death of monarchs — secular or spiritual — has throughout history been meticulously managed and curated to prevent panic or chaos among subjects as transitional mechanisms are set into motion.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
But in the last week or so, the agency has faced much of the same chaos and disruption that has been experienced by other federal departments.
—Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chaos
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Emily Price, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
People are angry’: Fear and chaos grip San Diego’s 47,000-strong federal workforce
‘People are frustrated.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
At the same time, information about the possible death of monarchs — secular or spiritual — has throughout history been meticulously managed and curated to prevent panic or chaos among subjects as transitional mechanisms are set into motion.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
But in the last week or so, the agency has faced much of the same chaos and disruption that has been experienced by other federal departments.
—Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chaos
Cite this Entry
“Chaos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaos. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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