lawless

law·less | \ ˈlȯ-ləs

How to pronounce lawless (audio)

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Definition of lawless

1 : not regulated by or based on law

2a : not restrained or controlled by law : unruly

Other Words from lawless Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about lawless

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Examples of lawless in a Sentence

the lawless society of the frontier the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight

Recent Examples on the Web The intricate story is filled with lively action, a cast of unforgettable characters, and realistic depictions of both the landscapes of western Alaska and the largely lawless conditions of the time. — Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, "Our reviewers read a lot of books in 2020. Here are their favorites.," 25 Dec. 2020 Zhao is the chairman of the GTSEZ, which was named after the historically lawless border region where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Is an alleged drug kingpin from China investing millions in a port in Laos?," 7 Dec. 2020 Someone had left body parts on the central thoroughfare of Fraccionamiento Villa Salamanca 400, a lawless barrio on the city’s southeastern periphery. — Patrick J. Mcdonnell, Los Angeles Times, "This reporter went to cover a homicide in Mexico. Then he became a victim," 4 Dec. 2020 Each under threat from a corrupt, racist, lawless president and his party. — Anthony Man, sun-sentinel.com, "$2.1 million pro-Biden ad buy planned for Black and Caribbean radio stations in Florida," 6 Oct. 2020 Company executives say a semester without proctors would turn online testing into a lawless wasteland. — Washington Post, "Cheating-detection companies made millions during the pandemic. Now students are fighting back.," 12 Nov. 2020 Donald Trump himself crawled out of Nixon’s political grave, more lawless, more shameless, more openly unhinged. — Fintan O’toole, The New York Review of Books, "Democracy’s Afterlife," 10 Nov. 2020 The lawless edge of the Star Wars galaxy lends itself to some interesting gaming. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The 2020 Game and Toy Awards," 4 Nov. 2020 After the state of emergency ends, the fairly lawless world of outdoor dining will be more strictly regulated in ways that will affect restaurant earnings. — Pete Wells, New York Times, "9 Ways Outdoor Dining Will Change New York," 2 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lawless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawless. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for lawless

lawless

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of lawless

: having no laws

: not obeying the law

See the full definition for lawless in the English Language Learners Dictionary

lawless

law·less | \ ˈlȯ-ləs

\

Kids Definition of lawless

1 : having no laws : not based on or controlled by law a lawless frontier town

2 : uncontrolled by law : unruly a lawless mob

lawless

law·less

Legal Definition of lawless

1 : not restrained or controlled by law

2 : illegal a lawless act

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