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 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)
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
Expert tips to navigate flight delay, cancellation chaos Travel experts regularly reiterate their top tips and strategies, from utilizing credit card claims to being proactive about finding a future flight.
—
Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
The covers, which often accompany literary fiction written by women, signal a particular emotional register of naive, sticky chaos that youth promises.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Iran war has added additional chaos to international travel.
—Roland Li, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Traveling will always have its challenges, but the right gear acts as a buffer against the chaos.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaos
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Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
The covers, which often accompany literary fiction written by women, signal a particular emotional register of naive, sticky chaos that youth promises.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Iran war has added additional chaos to international travel.
—Roland Li, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Traveling will always have its challenges, but the right gear acts as a buffer against the chaos.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaos
Cite this Entry
“Chaos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaos. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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