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
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Recent Examples of lawless
Trump and conservatives, overall, are obsessed with tarring California — to them, the apotheosis of liberalism — as a violent, lawless, anti-American hellscape.
—
Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
At this point, failing to wear a mask when engaging in lawless activity is a major faux pas.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 17 June 2025
Republicans focused exclusively on the lawless behavior and ignored the peaceful parts of the protest.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2025
Los Angeles is not a lawless, postapocalyptic war zone.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
At this point, failing to wear a mask when engaging in lawless activity is a major faux pas.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 17 June 2025
Republicans focused exclusively on the lawless behavior and ignored the peaceful parts of the protest.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2025
Los Angeles is not a lawless, postapocalyptic war zone.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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The judge suggested then that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security could work out between themselves whether the government’s priority is to try him on the criminal charges or deport him.—
Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
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Though the counts of second degree murder and armed criminal action, as well as others, were Jones’ first felony convictions, his criminal record in Municipal Court was chock full of warning signs.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Jorge Garibay said in a statement Friday, adding that the efforts were aimed at reducing fire risk and unlawful activity throughout the city.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
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The court cited the First Amendment (freedom of speech), the Fourth Amendment (protection against unlawful search and seizure), and the Fourteenth Amendment (due process and equal protection).—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Strahovski shares details about her character’s state of mind the moment when everything changed with a bold and rebellious move, after finding love again with Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), below.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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What emerges isn’t just kickbacks — but the outlines of a prostitution ring allegedly funded with illicit money.—
Gina Montaner,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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In two new indictments, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges millions in illicit earnings by remote work impersonators.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Douglas McCarthy, the vocalist who hectored anarchic invective with EBM innovators Nitzer Ebb and who joined Depeche Mode keyboardist Alan Wilder’s Recoil side project, died Wednesday at the age of 58.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
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Having started out in music videos btf came to everyone’s attention with the anarchic talkshow Roche and Böhmermann.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Jones-Ogletree, who also goes by Darnell Ogletree, is charged with murder, felonious assault and abduction.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 7 Jul. 2025.
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