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anarchism

[an-er-kiz-uh m] /ˈæn ərˌkɪz əm/
noun
1.
a doctrine urging the abolition of government or governmental restraint as the indispensable condition for full social and political liberty.
2.
the methods or practices of anarchists, as the use of violence to undermine government.
3.
anarchy.
Origin
1635-1645
1635-45; anarch(y) + -ism
Related forms
proanarchism, noun
semianarchism, noun
Can be confused
anarchism, anarchy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014.
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Examples from the web for anarchism
  • anarchism as a social movement has regularly endured fluctuations in popularity.
  • anarchism is not the reign of love, but the reign of justice.
British Dictionary definitions for anarchism

anarchism

/ˈænəˌkɪzəm/
noun
1.
(political theory) a doctrine advocating the abolition of government
2.
the principles or practice of anarchists
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for anarchism
n.

1640s; see anarchy + -ism.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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anarchism in Culture
anarchism [(an-uhr-kiz-uhm)]

The belief that all existing governmental authority should be abolished and replaced by free cooperation among individuals.

Note: Anarchy is sometimes used to refer to any state of chaos or lawlessness.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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