Anarchist: meaning, definitions and examples

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anarchist

 

[ ˈæn.ə.kɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

political ideology

An anarchist is a person who believes in or tries to bring about anarchy, which is the absence of government and law. Anarchists advocate self-governed societies based on voluntary cooperation.

Synonyms

anarcho, antiauthoritarian, libertarian

Examples of usage

  • Emma Goldman was a famous anarchist who promoted anarchism as a means of achieving freedom and equality.
  • The anarchist group organized protests against government oppression and advocated for individual autonomy.
  • Anarchists often reject hierarchical structures and seek to create a society without rulers.
  • Many anarchists believe in direct action and civil disobedience as a way to challenge authority.
  • The principles of anarchism emphasize mutual aid, solidarity, and community self-organization.
Context #2 | Noun

person who disrupts order

An anarchist can also refer to a person who promotes disorder and chaos by inciting violence or destruction of property. Such individuals may not necessarily adhere to the political philosophy of anarchism.

Synonyms

disruptor, instigator, troublemaker

Examples of usage

  • The masked anarchist threw Molotov cocktails at the police during the protest.
  • Some anarchists engage in vandalism and looting as a form of protest.
  • The media often portrays anarchists as troublemakers and instigators of violence.
  • Not all individuals engaging in disruptive behavior identify as anarchists.
  • Anarchists who resort to violence may alienate potential supporters of their cause.

Translations

Translations of the word "anarchist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 anarquista

🇮🇳 अराजकतावादी

🇩🇪 Anarchist

🇮🇩 anarkis

🇺🇦 анархіст

🇵🇱 anarchista

🇯🇵 アナーキスト

🇫🇷 anarchiste

🇪🇸 anarquista

🇹🇷 anarşist

🇰🇷 무정부주의자

🇸🇦 فوضوي

🇨🇿 anarchista

🇸🇰 anarchista

🇨🇳 无政府主义者

🇸🇮 anarhist

🇮🇸 stjórnleysingi

🇰🇿 анархист

🇬🇪 ანარქისტი

🇦🇿 anarxist

🇲🇽 anarquista

Etymology

The term 'anarchist' originated in the early 17th century from the Greek 'anarchos,' meaning 'without rulers.' Anarchism as a political philosophy gained prominence in the 19th century, with figures like Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and Mikhail Bakunin advocating for stateless societies. Anarchists have been involved in various social movements for labor rights, environmentalism, and anti-authoritarianism.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,218, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.