lawless

adjective

ˈlȯ-ləs How to pronounce lawless (audio)
Definition of lawlessnext
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

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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 My friend chose to pray instead of conceding to the lawless demands. — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026 Few components of travel these days are as reliably lawless as the boarding process. — Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 July 2026 Set in post-Civil War America, former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) joins the lawless traveling town ‘Hell on Wheels,’ which follows the construction of the first-ever transcontinental railroad. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Ser Jasper is arrested, but the atmosphere in the city is lawless. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
  1. criminal
  2. unlawful
  3. rebellious
  4. illicit
  5. anarchic
  6. felonious
  7. disorderly
Adjective
  • Erdogan has called Netanyahu a war criminal and repeatedly accused Israel of atrocities in Gaza; Netanyahu has accused Erdogan of supporting Hamas.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That’s a question usually put to criminal defendants and key players in a scandal, not the District Attorney’s office itself.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Legal experts say such a move would probably be swiftly blocked by courts, as would any unlawful deployment of military troops to polls.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The suit alleges that Paramount’s unlawful termination has caused him some $4 million in economic damages.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • Its central character, Missie, a rebellious young woman who joins military intelligence, was inspired by Sue, who died in 2023 at age 99.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Follow rebellious 16-year-old Holden Caufield to New York City in Catcher in the Rye, in a tale that will evoke both humor and empathy from readers in equal measure.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Deli containers, those clear plastic cylinders that hold bagel schmears, premade pasta salads, and the occasional illicit public beach cocktail, enjoy vaunted status in the food world.
    — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Lake County State's Attorney said an investigation starting in June 2026 found illicit activity on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Together, the two embark on an anarchic mother-and-daughter journey to reconnect.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The whole thing is an anarchic delirium reminiscent of the kind experienced by Bart and Milhouse after drinking an all-syrup Super Squishee; thankfully, the comedown is quick and relatively painless.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Definition of anarchic
Adjective
  • Her husband was arrested that day and faces 10 counts of felonious criminal abuse charges.
    — Jane Park, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Zachary Robert Stacer, 22, was arrested on July 30 and charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, three counts of felonious assault and five counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of felonious
Adjective
  • Bessent’s maneuvers are distinct, some observers say, by not being prompted by crisis or particularly disorderly market conditions.
    — Christopher Anstey, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • By 2002, Beijing decided to rein in the disorderly competition.
    — GLORIA XIONG, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of disorderly

Browse Nearby Words

lawgivers
lawless
lawlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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