Anarchize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To transform a community or system into one lacking established order or leadership
2. To dismantle structured authority and promote a state without law or governance
3. To bring about chaos by removing organized leadership or control

Etymology: "Anarchize" is simply "anarchy" with the verb-forming suffix "-ize" attached. "Anarchy" itself came into English from French "anarchie", which in turn came from Greek "anarkhia", meaning "lack of a ruler" or "absence of authority", built from "an-" (without) and "arkhos" (leader or ruler). The root sense is therefore about having no one in charge, a plain description rather than a value judgment. The suffix "-ize" comes from Greek "-izein", used to form verbs meaning "to make into" or "to treat in a certain way". Attaching it to "anarchy" produced a verb meaning to bring about a condition of no governing authority, or to dismantle existing structures of rule. Because the ending is so productive in English, many verbs like this were formed on the fly, and "anarchize" follows that pattern, turning a noun about the absence of rule into an action someone can perform.

Synonyms: subvert, overthrow

Antonyms: establish, organize