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
The enormous increase in ICE funding that Republicans just greenlit means that the lawless attacks Californians have been witnessing for months will now be visited on communities across America.
—
Dave Min, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
But Riaz chose a lawless way of life, court records show, that ended with him getting caught and pleading guilty to both child exploitation and white-collar crimes.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
This would be lawless, since the United States has refused to join the tribunal, and Netanyahu is not accused of committing any crimes here.
—Eugene Kontorovich, National Review, 3 July 2025
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva Cortes: America's ongoing rebirth rebuffs the globalist detractors and lawless nihilists who tear down statues, riot, and promote uncontrolled migration.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Dave Min, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
But Riaz chose a lawless way of life, court records show, that ended with him getting caught and pleading guilty to both child exploitation and white-collar crimes.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
This would be lawless, since the United States has refused to join the tribunal, and Netanyahu is not accused of committing any crimes here.
—Eugene Kontorovich, National Review, 3 July 2025
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva Cortes: America's ongoing rebirth rebuffs the globalist detractors and lawless nihilists who tear down statues, riot, and promote uncontrolled migration.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
-
Additionally, total full-time criminal justice personnel increased 1.9% from 2023 to 2024, according to the press release.—
Amelia Wu,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office, at least 25 defendants saw their criminal charges dismissed by a Bay State judge on Tuesday, after no one stepped forward to offer them legal assistance.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 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
-
Instead, advocates say those who are not in shelter are being pushed farther and farther away from services in an attempt to escape unlawful camping citations.—
Keely Doll,
The Courier-Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Drake Solomon accuses his former employer of disability discrimination and an unlawful severance offer.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The story follows Bárbara, rebellious and broke, who fakes her way into a convent for a private room and some peace—only to find herself on an unexpected spiritual journey.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The town’s rebellious spirit and dreamy beach backdrop attracted a who’s who in music, from Duke Ellington in the 1920s to Led Zeppelin, who skipped Woodstock in 1969 to play the Asbury Park Convention Hall.—
Jen Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Rather than being stripped of their parts, this term refers to vehicles that are driven off intact by thieves, either for joy-riding or title washing and illicit resale either here or abroad.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Grab a seat at Square Grouper, where illicit Florida Keys history blends with the freshest seafood and stellar sunset views.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Amid the pillaging of homes, Roman magistrates were likely sent to the city to prevent an anarchic type of existence, based on ancient literary sources the authors referenced in the study.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But more than anything, anime offers an anarchic aesthetic, one that allows for a sort of unprecedented intensity and tempestuousness, thus offering a unique level of insight.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Matthews later returned to court to face two new counts of felonious assault and one count of misdemeanor assault.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
He was arrested and charged with felonious assault.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While the season is still winding down, the area has seen shootings and disorderly crowds.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The new initiatives include enforcing a curfew for teenagers, increasing the number of officers and surveillance downtown at night and issuing stay-away orders for people charged with violent crimes, disorderly behavior or weapons violations to keep them from Mile Square.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share