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 Ser Jasper is arrested, but the atmosphere in the city is lawless. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026 For the people listening, Cum Town could feel like a transmission from a more lawless internet, where the jokes moved faster than the self-consciousness around them. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 The sport, back then, was all but lawless. — Oskar Garcia, New York Times, 15 June 2026 Tren de Aragua originated more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 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
  • He had not been involved in a criminal case before in the county, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney said.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 28 July 2026
  • Now, the community is about to enter what could be the final chapter in the criminal cases stemming from the state’s deadliest school shooting.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • The 15-year-old is being held on suspicion of three counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 28 July 2026
  • California Secretary of State Shirley Weber voiced support for the bill in a statement and said the nation’s elections must remain free from intimidation and unlawful interference from any source.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The inspiration behind this rock-and-roll icon, however, lies in Hindu spiritual symbolism, whose meanings contrast sharply with the rebellious image the logo projects.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
  • Judy Davis stars as Sybylla, a rebellious young woman in 19th century Australia who longs to be a writer, but her traditionalist parents refuse to indulge those dreams, sending her to board with her wealthy grandmother instead.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Anthropic, which is valued at close to $1 trillion and has aspirations of going public in the near future, said stopping illicit distillation was a matter of national security.
    — Kif Leswing,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 July 2026
  • Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said improving visibility will help curtail illicit activity and will also make riders feel safer about sitting inside the shelters.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • 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
  • The story links the creatures’ anarchic physical comedy to silent-era pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
Definition of anarchic
Adjective
  • At his sentencing, Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutor Connor Davin recounted Loftis’ long history of criminal convictions, which included charges of assault on a peace officer, drug trafficking, felonious assault and armed robbery.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • Police were serving a search warrant from a felonious assault case.
    — Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of felonious
Adjective
  • Police said one concertgoer was issued a summons for disorderly conduct and another for disorderly behavior.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
  • Their charges reportedly include assaulting a police officer, disorderly behavior in a police station, disorderly behavior, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm and two counts of damage and obstruction.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Definition of disorderly

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lawless
lawlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lawless for Spanish Speakers

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