Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

lawless

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of lawless

1 not restrained by or under the control of legal authority

  • the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
Synonyms of lawless

anarchic (also anarchical), disorderly, lawbreaking, unruly
Words Related to lawless

defiant, insubordinate, mutinous, rebellious, refractory, riotous

undisciplined

criminal, felonious, illegal, illegitimate, illicit, unlawful, wrongful

disobedient, froward, intractable, recalcitrant
Near Antonyms of lawless

lawful, legal, legalized, legitimate

amenable, compliant, docile, obedient, submissive, tractable
Antonyms of lawless

law-abiding, orderly

2 contrary to or forbidden by law

  • the level of lawless activity in the territory had reached the point where the authorities felt compelled to act
Synonyms of lawless

criminal, felonious, illegal, illegitimate, illicit, unlawful, wrongful
Words Related to lawless

bad, evil, immoral, shameful, sinful, unethical, wicked, wrong

blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible

banned, barred, contraband, criminalized, disallowed, discouraged, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed

adulterine, bootleg, unauthorized, unlicensed, unsanctioned

under-the-counter, under-the-table

corrupt, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous
Near Antonyms of lawless

ethical, good, just, principled, right, righteous, virtuous

allowed, permitted

authorized, licensed

approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned

abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported

correct, decent, decorous, proper, seemly
Antonyms of lawless

lawful, legal, legitimate

Learn More about lawless

  1. See words that rhyme with lawless Dictionary: Definition of lawless Spanish Central: Translation of lawless Nglish: Translation of lawless for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lawless? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

perforce

by force of circumstances

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games