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pandemonium

pandemonium

22 8.0
A loud, wild situation of disorder and confusion
  • noun
  • /ˌpændəˈmoʊniəm/
translation icon : caos
  • As the fire alarm rang unexpectedly, pandemonium broke out in the crowded library.
  • Pandemonium erupted
  • pandemonium broke
  • Pandemonium reigns

Many times when they get that voice out, there is pandemonium.

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Examples

  • Nate took her by the hand, and they came out of the tiny office into pandemonium.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The combined antics resulted in a two-hour period of near pandemonium as the play proceeded.

    Academic text (1990)
  • It's pandemonium here in the Garden!

  • All the while we hear pandemonium breaking out behind the door.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • It's absolute pandemonium in here.

  • After that, it was pandemonium, as old friends recognized one another and rushed to meet again.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Dust rolled from the many horses, and there was an air of general pandemonium throughout the village.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The feeling is that if the situation is not quickly resolved, the pandemonium will lead to all-out violence.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In the offices and data processing rooms, the Ellingson staff are in pandemonium.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Stokes stands in the box looking dumbstruck as pandemonium plays out around him.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

mess
vspandemonium
1.0

A situation in which things are untidy and confused

is more extreme and noisy, not only untidy or problematic
chaos
vspandemonium
438 3.1

A situation with no order where people are confused and cannot act normally

adds an image of wild, noisy disorder beyond mere lack of order
turmoil
vspandemonium
138 4.8

A time of great confusion and disorder

leans more toward wild noisy chaos rather than prolonged disturbance
havoc
vspandemonium
96 5.1

Great damage and confusion that makes things stop working

is more about noisy, wild disorder than physical destruction
commotion
vspandemonium
73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

is more extreme, implying untamed noise and chaotic scenes
mayhem
vspandemonium
68 7.3

Violent disorder and chaos that causes damage or a lot of trouble

is wilder in noise and confusion rather than purely violent damage
uproar
vspandemonium
47 3.9

A loud, confused noise and activity by a group of people

is less tied to crowds and more to wild, noisy disorder generally
ruckus
vspandemonium
  • Informal
31 6.8

A loud, confused noise made by people arguing or shouting

covers wilder, noisier chaos rather than a simple disturbance
turbulence
vspandemonium
18 7.7

A time of strong political or social disorder

is less political, stressing chaotic noisy scenes in any setting
hubbub
vspandemonium
17 5.1

A loud, confused noise made by a crowd

is wider, stressing wild disorder and chaos, not only noisy sound
tumult
vspandemonium
12 7.7

A noisy, confused situation with a crowd behaving badly

is broader and more extreme, stressing wild noisy chaos rather than crowd scenes
free-for-all
vspandemonium
  • Informal
10 6.2

A wild fight or argument with many people and no rules

is more about wild noisy confusion rather than rulelessness alone
bedlam
vspandemonium
8 8.2

A noisy scene where people are confused and out of control

is similar but implies wilder, more uproarious noise and disorder
funhouse
vspandemonium
  • Informal
3 4.8

A chaotic, confusing situation like the strange rooms in a fair attraction

is more about uncontrolled noisy chaos than absurd confusion
one hell of a mess
vspandemonium
  • NSFW
2 8.4

A very large, messy situation that is hard to fix

is louder and wilder, emphasizing noisy disorder rather than size alone
hurly-burly
vspandemonium
  • Literature
1 9.6

A noisy, confused situation with many people and activity

is wilder and more chaotic, with less emphasis on crowd causes
shambles
vspandemonium
  • Informal
1 5.5

A place or situation that is very messy and out of order

adds an idea of wild noisy chaos beyond mere messiness
mare's nest
vspandemonium
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A confusing, chaotic situation with many mixed-up parts

is louder and wilder, stressing noisy uproar over mere confusion
derangement
vspandemonium
1 8.5

A state when things like papers or furniture are not in their usual place

is noisier and wilder, focusing on chaotic uproar rather than disorder only
tumultuousness
vspandemonium
9.0

A state of loud noise and confusion

focuses more on extreme wild and noisy chaos rather than general turbulence
katzenjammer
vspandemonium
9.9

A loud, confused noise from many people or things

is broader, highlighting wild chaotic disorder beyond noisy uproar
garboil
vspandemonium
  • Archaic
9.9

A noisy, confused scene with people moving and shouting

is livelier and wilder, stressing chaotic uproar beyond mere noise
tumultuous disturbance
vspandemonium
8.5

A sudden violent crowd event that causes confusion and danger

is broader, focusing on ongoing wild and noisy disorder rather than suddenness
total shitfuck
vspandemonium
  • Offensive
9.9

A situation that is very messy and badly managed

is broader, focusing on ongoing wild noisy disorder rather than sudden events
bordel
vspandemonium
  • Slang
9.9

A very messy place or situation

is wilder and noisier, stressing uproar and disorder beyond mess
shemozzle
vspandemonium
  • Slang
9.9

A confused, messy situation when plans go wrong

is louder and more uproarious, not only a general mess
schemozzle
vspandemonium
  • Slang
9.9

A confused, messy situation where plans go wrong

is more vivid and noisy, suggesting wild uproar beyond disorder
topsy-turvyness
vspandemonium
  • Archaic
9.4

A state of complete confusion and disorder

is more about noisy, wild chaos rather than internal disorder only
topsy-turvydom
vspandemonium
  • Archaic
9.9

A state of great confusion and disorder

is wilder and noisier, stressing chaos rather than mere disorder
kick bollocks scramble
vspandemonium
  • Offensive
9.9

A chaotic rushed situation that happens because of poor planning

is more uproarious and wildly noisy rather than just rushed disorder
a right state of chaos
vspandemonium
  • Informal
8.4

A situation with things all over and people confused

adds intensity of wild noisy chaos rather than general disorder

Antonyms

505 1.5

A state where people follow rules and behave calmly

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

How Chaotic

chaos
438 3.1
mayhem
68 7.3
pandemonium
22 8.0
bedlam
8 8.2
disorder
31 3.7
confusion
389 1.8

Surface Forms

pandemonium singular
pandemoniums plural

Etymology

Pandemonium was invented by the poet John Milton from the Greek parts pan- 'all' and daimon 'demon', so it meant 'all demons'. Milton used it for the noisy capital of Hell, which helps explain why pandemonium today means wild, noisy confusion.