lawlessness

noun

Definition of lawlessnessnext
1
as in anarchy
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority the western frontier was notorious for its lawlessness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crime
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state lawlessness in the city had reached an unconscionable and intolerable level

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
  1. anarchy
  2. crime
  3. criminality
Noun
  • The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty and terror.
    — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Without laws, a country devolves into anarchy and lawlessness.
    — Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of anarchy
Noun
  • In other words, no matter how heinous the crime (including murder), a defendant could come into court and ask to get out of prison.
    — Haven Shoemaker, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Gus Van Sant’s upcoming crime feature Dead Man’s Wire and Dustin Hoffman drama The Revisionist nabbed incentives to shoot in the locale.
    — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of crime
Noun
  • The State Department also utilizes the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a private partner, that contributes local perspectives on criminality and helps the government make travel advisory decisions.
    — Peter D'Abrosca, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • According to investigators from Canada and the U.S., there is no sign of criminality in the case, but the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey’s disappearance and death remain unknown.
    — David Chiu, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of criminality
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.

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lawless
lawlessness
lawmaker
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“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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