anomie
3 synonyms for anomie, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A breakdown of shared social norms and values, leaving people without clear standards to live by; also the personal sense of rootlessness that follows.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
normlessness
anomy
Etymology
From Greek "anomia," lawlessness, from "a-" (without) plus "nomos" (law). It entered English as a sociological term through French.
Full origin of anomie →Frequently asked questions
What is anomie?
A condition in which the shared rules and expectations that hold a society together weaken or break down, so people no longer have a clear sense of what is expected. It is also used for the individual feeling of disconnection that results.
What is the difference between anomie and alienation?
Anomie is about the absence of norms — the rules themselves have broken down. Alienation is about estrangement from work, others or oneself. They often occur together but are not the same idea.
