1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
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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
Most Arizona suburbanites apparently live in a lawless Wild West in terms of crime, traffic accidents and alcohol abuse, according to a new study.
—
Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Today, what was once the cultural and financial hub of the enclave, lies in lawless ruins, devastated by months of a brutal Israeli assault triggered by Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel almost two years ago.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
The last thing law enforcement should be doing is engaging in actions that create a more lawless society.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
DoBetterDNVR seeks to hold city government accountable for enabling lawless behavior like vagrancy, public drug use, urban camping, and vandalism by exposing and posting it, a laudable aim, but its means are less than ethical.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Today, what was once the cultural and financial hub of the enclave, lies in lawless ruins, devastated by months of a brutal Israeli assault triggered by Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel almost two years ago.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
The last thing law enforcement should be doing is engaging in actions that create a more lawless society.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
DoBetterDNVR seeks to hold city government accountable for enabling lawless behavior like vagrancy, public drug use, urban camping, and vandalism by exposing and posting it, a laudable aim, but its means are less than ethical.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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Britain's biggest anti-immigrant political party, Reform UK, which has topped opinion polls in recent months, has kept its distance from Robinson, who has several criminal convictions.—
Vitalii Yalahuzian,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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At least 25 people were arrested in offenses including violent disorder, assaults and criminal damage, and the investigation continues, police said.—
BRIAN MELLEY,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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In November, jurors convicted Martinez of unlawful compensation and a related conspiracy charge.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela.—
Mia Sosa,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (McGraw) is now 14, a rebellious teenager living under Gemma’s overprotective rules.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Whelchel pointed to a series of text exchanges between Alam and his friends that appeared to paint Alam as a frequent user of illicit drugs like mushrooms and extacy.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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North was convicted in 1989 on three felony charges for helping to arrange the illicit sale of weapons to Iran and divert the proceeds to fund a secret war against anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The film was One Battle After Another, Anderson’s high-octane adaptation of Vineland, Thomas Pynchon’s anarchic 1990 novel about a crew of former leftist revolutionaries — the French 75 — living in a slightly more dystopian version of present-day America.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
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Its conceit is a neat one for a film — and totally believable for a family history from anarchic Eastern Europe after the Second World War.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Finley faces charges of murder and felonious assault.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Sep. 2025
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One man involved is both considered a victim of felonious assault and has been charged with disorderly conduct.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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She was charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly intoxication.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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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 17 Sep. 2025.
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