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
Noun
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In the years since, the mask has been adopted as a symbol of anarchy and protest worldwide.—
Laura Kiniry,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Jan. 2025 -
Excerpt The Mob Began to Think and Reason David Graeber David Graeber, an anthropologist and key figure in the Occupy Wall Street protests, dissects the deeply undemocratic origins of America and the meaning of anarchy in this excerpt from his book The Democracy Project.—
Max Ufberg,
hazlitt.net,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, not state offenses.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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By contrast, in fiscal year 2024, 51 percent of the people ICE arrested had been convicted of a crime, and an additional 21 percent had criminal charges pending against them.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In turn, episodes of fraud and misconduct in small local governments don’t always surface publicly unless criminal charges are filed – and problems short of criminality may be kept quiet.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2025
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The department has since played the role of overseer in the investigation, and reserves the right to take over again in the event of potential criminality.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2025
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Thesaurus Entries Near lawlessness
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“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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