lawless

adjective

ˈlȯ-ləs How to pronounce lawless (audio)
Definition of lawlessnext
1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law the level of lawless activity in the territory had reached the point where the authorities felt compelled to act

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lawless In the continuation of the multi-award-winning gangster saga, set in the lawless streets of Birmingham in the 1900s, Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Tommy Shelby in the film written by Knight, who produces alongside Patrick Holland, Murphy and Guy Heeley. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025 The two sides ultimately work out an uneasy truce but without smoothing out the rough layers of whose law governs a lawless land. — Michael M. Rosen, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025 Advocates call it 'cruel,' 'lawless.’ More than 175 organizations that advocate for women’s and transgender rights blasted Donald Trump in a letter released Tuesday for his requirement that federal agencies only recognize two sexes, male and female. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025 By all indications, Trump is planning to run a lawless administration and these unprecedented moves are an alarming first step to put those plans into action. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
  1. criminal
  2. illegal
  3. unlawful
  4. rebellious
  5. illicit
  6. anarchic
  7. felonious
  8. disorderly
Adjective
  • Caleb McCray, 23, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, was charged with manslaughter and felony criminal hazing, according to court records.
    — Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The court said the investigative agency that detained Yoon before his formal arrest didn’t have legal rights to investigate the criminal rebellion charges.
    — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.
    — Lisa Beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, 5 July 2017
  • Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.
    — James Bruggers, The Courier-Journal, 5 July 2017
Definition of illegal
Adjective
  • Legal experts say the moves are likely unlawful, workers complain they were sloppily handled, and the whole process runs the risk of doing long-term damage to critical workings of the federal government.
    — Emily Peck, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Duterte's former legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the arrest was unlawful, and said the police did not allow one of his lawyers to meet Duterte at the airport.
    — Karen Lema, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • On Wednesday, March 12, The Kardashians star was joined by her mother Kris Jenner for the latest episode of her Khloé in Wonderland podcast, where the two looked back at some of Khloé's rebellious childhood moments.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • But in 1862, Congress declared that any slave with a rebellious master who reached federal lines would be free.
    — Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • The Bark app monitors the network of school district computers and scans for illicit content being downloaded or shared, the charging document reads.
    — Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, during intake, BOP staff confiscate and discard all medications, citing efforts to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Fragmented on normal days, the web bordered on anarchic Monday.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The dark chaos of Keef’s beats are obvious, but the Indianapolis producer extracts what’s also really majestic and pretty about them, and the anarchic maximalism of Back From the Dead 2 feels like his main inspiration.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of anarchic
Adjective
  • In addition to murder, Dustin M. Thompson, 36, is facing charges of felonious assault and possession of criminal tools, court records filed March 5 in Franklin County show.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Court records show Cook was charged with felonious assault.
    — Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of felonious
Adjective
  • Real Housewives of New York Star (Countess) Luann De Lesseps was arrested in Palm Beach on Christmas Eve 2017 and charged with several offences, including battery, trespassing, and disorderly intoxication.
    — Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The 55-year-old actor, whose credits also include Better Call Saul and Mr. Show with Bob and David, faces multiple charges including civil disorder and disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024
Definition of disorderly

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Cite this Entry

“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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