interregnums
Thrones sitting empty
Interregnums is the plural of interregnum, a period between reigns—the gap after one ruler dies or abdicates and before the next assumes power.
The word extends to any interval when normal authority is suspended or a position sits vacant: During the interregnums between CEOs, the board ran things directly.
The alternate plural interregna also appears.
Break in activity
- interludePause between sections
- intervalDuration between two points
- gapUnfilled space between
- lullTemporary period of quiet
suspension · standstill · moratorium · interim period · holding pattern · limbo · abeyance · dormancy
Absence of governing authority
- succession crisisContested leadership transfer
- contendersThose seeking to win
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
jockeying · maneuvering · claimants · pretenders · dynastic · legitimacy · usurper · throne
Violent disturbance or confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- disorderAbsence of organization
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
- unrestState of public disturbance
conflict · strife · disruption · rebellion · coup · sedition · agitation · discord
Following in order
- changeoverComplete shift between systems
- handoverTransfer of control
- transferMove between locations
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
power transfer · interim · provisional · caretaker · transitional · interlude · passage · shifting
Openness to multiple interpretations
- unpredictabilityState resisting forecasts
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
indeterminacy · legitimacy crisis · doubtful · contested · unsettled · flux · liminal · in-between
hiatus
Break in activity
lull · suspension · standstill · moratorium · interim period · holding pattern · limbo · abeyance · dormancy · waiting period
power vacuum
Absence of governing authority
- succession crisisContested leadership transfer
- contendersThose seeking to win
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
factionalism · jockeying · maneuvering · claimants · pretenders · dynastic · legitimacy · usurper · throne · contested
turmoil
Violent disturbance or confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- disorderAbsence of organization
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
unrest · conflict · strife · disruption · rebellion · coup · sedition · agitation · discord · disarray
succession
Following in order
- changeoverComplete shift between systems
- handoverTransfer of control
- transferMove between locations
regime change · power transfer · interim · provisional · caretaker · transitional · interlude · passage · shifting · realignment
ambiguity
Openness to multiple interpretations
- unpredictabilityState resisting forecasts
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
tentativeness · indeterminacy · legitimacy crisis · doubtful · contested · unsettled · flux · liminal · in-between · pending
interregnumsreigns
Holds sovereign power
dynasties · administrations · regimes · governments · monarchies
interregnumseras
Named spans of history
epochs · ages · golden ages · continuities · permanences