lawless

adjective

law·​less ˈlȯ-ləs 

1

: not regulated by or based on law

2

a

: not restrained or controlled by law : unruly

b

: illegal

lawlessly adverb

lawlessness noun

Synonyms of lawless

• criminal
• rebellious
• anarchic
• illegal
• disorderly
• illicit

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

Your city is devolving into a lawless hell hole. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

For instance, new legislation could ensure justice for lawless government actors and constrain surveillance. —Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026

Where Bonnie and Clyde glamorizes its couple and their crimes, Loden renders Wanda passive and desultory in the lawless turn her life has taken. —Air Mail, 23 May 2026

At the beginning of the siege, Ihor became a volunteer policeman, tasked with keeping order in a city that was becoming more lawless by the day. —James Verini, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lawless

• aulus
• flawless
• solace
• squalus

Kids Definition

lawless

adjective

law·​less ˈlȯ-ləs 

1

: not based on or regulated by law

the lawless society of the frontier

2

: not controlled by law : unruly, disorderly

lawless mob

lawlessly adverb

lawlessness noun

Legal Definition

lawless

adjective

law·​less

1

: not restrained or controlled by law

2

: illegal

a lawless act

lawlessly adverb

lawlessness noun