lawbreaker

noun

law·​break·​er ˈlȯ-ˌbrā-kər How to pronounce lawbreaker (audio)
: a person who violates the law
lawbreaking adjective or noun

Examples of lawbreaker in a Sentence

He admitted to being a lawbreaker. legislation that mandates lengthy prison sentences for chronic lawbreakers
Recent Examples on the Web But while Grossman’s defense team seized on the plating issue to paint Erickson as a lawbreaker, the lead prosecutor dismissed the revelation as a years-old red herring. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Who besides lawbreakers want their transactions to go utterly undetected by third parties? Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023 In what is one of the strictest bans on the products, lawbreakers face fines and up to four years in jail. Jennifer McDermott and Carlos Mureithi, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023 Republican state representatives showed up to a June meeting to blast her as a lawbreaker. Hannah Natanson, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2023 The two candidates who see Trump as a lawbreaker were roundly booed for their views: Hutchinson and Christie, who offered an extended tribute to Pence. Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023 He is, depending on the perspective, a serial lawbreaker finally being brought to justice or a victim of persecution by partisans intent on keeping him out of office. Peter Baker, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2023 Known lawbreaker Hunter Biden’s corruption knows no bounds. Jessica Chasmar, Fox News, 14 July 2023 But he should be treated like any other lawbreaker. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lawbreaker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lawbreaker was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lawbreaker

Cite this Entry

“Lawbreaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawbreaker. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lawbreaker

noun
law·​break·​er ˈlȯ-ˌbrā-kər How to pronounce lawbreaker (audio)
: a person who breaks the law
lawbreaking adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lawbreaker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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