1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illegal
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lawless
Police have asked city officials to approve additional cameras, automatic license plate readers, as well as fencing and gates in areas around downtown to further curb street racing, sideshows, and dangerous vehicles exhibiting lawless behavior.
—
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
Venture into a lawless frontier and reveal deeper mysteries about a new Dredgen in Sol.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Those courageous enough to refuse to capitulate to the administration’s lawless requests have faced intensifying pressure and threats.
—Erin M. Carr, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
During his first 100 days in office, Trump has been lawless, issuing 139 executive orders (and only signing five laws).
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
Venture into a lawless frontier and reveal deeper mysteries about a new Dredgen in Sol.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Those courageous enough to refuse to capitulate to the administration’s lawless requests have faced intensifying pressure and threats.
—Erin M. Carr, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
During his first 100 days in office, Trump has been lawless, issuing 139 executive orders (and only signing five laws).
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
-
Those interactions with the criminal justice system cast long financial shadows.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
The cases remain in the initial stages of investigation, with no certainty that any criminal charges will be pursued.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Adjective
-
The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
In 2022, Hemphill pleaded guilty to unlawful parading, a misdemeanor charge that got her two months in prison, three years of probation and a $500 fine.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
-
Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
That included Vásquez's organization, which was about to receive a four-year, $2.5 million grant to continue fighting illicit activity that affects Indigenous people in the region.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
-
The operation allegedly generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Since this season’s finale, which sees Mark abandon his outie’s wife, Gemma, to run away with the anarchic Helly, Britt Lower, who plays the character, has observed fans’ impassioned response to that cliffhanger.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
We were energized by Gaga’s anarchic vision of a Bonnie-and-Clyde romance with Beyoncé.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
She has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), first-degree vulnerable adult abuse and assault or assault and battery.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Jones-Ogletree, who also goes by Darnell Ogletree, is charged with murder, felonious assault and abduction.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
More than 80 people were taken into custody in New York City last night after disorderly protesters threw bottles and traffic cones on streets in the vicinity of Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, the New York Police Department told Fox News on Wednesday.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2025
-
Surprisingly, the creature left minor damages behind: a few disorderly shelves and an unpaid bill from his dine-and-dash stunt.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share