1
: marked by chaos or being in a state of chaos : completely confused or disordered
a chaotic political race
After he became famous, his life became even more chaotic.
They may look chaotic and barbaric, but scrums are a critical and strategic part of the game, and they unfold and escalate according to hockey's venerated, unwritten rules of engagement.—
David Fleming
David FlemingTo the uninitiated visitor, the seemingly chaotic energy of a typical Thai market may give the impression of a free-for-all, …—Diane Ruengsom
Diane Ruengsom2
mathematics
: having outcomes that can vary widely due to extremely small changes in initial conditions
In other words, what comes out of the program's equations is extremely sensitive to what goes in. And that, as any mathematician would recognize, is one of the hallmarks of chaotic systems.—Ingrid Wickelgren
Ingrid WickelgrenA physical system—a weather system, say—is chaotic if a very slight change in initial conditions sends the system off on a very different course.—Physics Today
Physics TodayExamples of chaotic in a Sentence
a chaotic cellar sorely in need of some straightening up
Recent Examples on the Web
Residents say the chaotic clashes between federal immigration authorities and protesters on Saturday left them shaken.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
One of the most prolific voice actors in the business, Baker has made a career out of bringing animals, creatures, and the occasional chaotic alien to life.
—EW.com, 7 June 2025
Shortly after, Mars will meet with Uranus in a tumultuous square, which can be equally abrupt and chaotic.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025
With Mario Kart World (out now), Nintendo aims to deliver on ideas the developers have been holding onto for a while, creating a game that’s bigger and more chaotic than ever before, without skimping on the little details that give the brand its spirit.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
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.
Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
One of the most prolific voice actors in the business, Baker has made a career out of bringing animals, creatures, and the occasional chaotic alien to life.
—EW.com, 7 June 2025
Shortly after, Mars will meet with Uranus in a tumultuous square, which can be equally abrupt and chaotic.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025
With Mario Kart World (out now), Nintendo aims to deliver on ideas the developers have been holding onto for a while, creating a game that’s bigger and more chaotic than ever before, without skimping on the little details that give the brand its spirit.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Cite this Entry
“Chaotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaotic. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share