Synonyms

chaotic

American

[key-ot-ik] / keɪˈɒt ɪk /

adjective

completely confused or disordered.

a chaotic mass of books and papers.

Antonyms:

systematic, orderly

Other Word Forms

chaotically adverb
nonchaotic adjective
nonchaotically adverb
semichaotic adjective
semichaotically adverb
unchaotic adjective
unchaotically adverb

Etymology

Origin of chaotic

First recorded in 1705–15; chao(s) + -tic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the lack of churn has also been credited to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who by most accounts has enforced significant restraint from a famously chaotic leader.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Peet says that from the first time she looked at the script, with its world of therapy sessions and chaotic family dinners, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

“They can’t plan. It’s just chaotic and hard to make any kind of a move,” said Catherine Karol, a lawyer at Butzel, a Detroit law firm that represents auto-parts suppliers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

You all make it sound so clear, but in the markets, things are chaotic.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

In the dusty wardrobe where I plotted my escape, the shaft of light admitted by the narrow window shone like the bright beam of reason in a chaotic world.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023