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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawless
Such a government is lawless and has no right to exist.
—
Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
The capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who oppressed Venezuela's people is welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Yet there may be no trend that better defines that lawless era than layering a dress over jeans.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Whilst Sir Francis Bacon and John Davies undoubtedly painted a deceptively rosy picture of success in Ireland, society slowly seemed to be becoming less lawless.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
The capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who oppressed Venezuela's people is welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Yet there may be no trend that better defines that lawless era than layering a dress over jeans.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Whilst Sir Francis Bacon and John Davies undoubtedly painted a deceptively rosy picture of success in Ireland, society slowly seemed to be becoming less lawless.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
-
Texas criminal defense attorney Javier Guzman advised that aiding and abetting charges can result in fines of up to $250,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years, depending on the conduct and whether the assistance was for profit.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The driver was cited and is expected to get a criminal complaint for endangered driving.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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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This vibe continues to be brought to you courtesy of your co-ruling planet, rebellious Uranus, moving into your fifth house of self-expression on April 25, empowering you to lean fully into your penchant for unconventionality and incorporating the element of surprise in your personal style.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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But very soon, that could be rebellious Venezuelan locals seeking to protect their path to democratic sovereignty and resist foreign interference.—
Anthony Dominguez,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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None, however, elaborated on what orders were considered unlawful.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Jan. 2026
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The California Coastal Commission has issued multiple cease-and-desist orders to Sable Offshore for allegedly conducting unlawful repair work.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Reiner could be called a journeyman director, except what kind of journeyman director could make a movie as confident as When Harry Met Sally, or as anarchic as This Is Spinal Tap, or one that juggles as many tones as The Princess Bride?—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
-
The internet is ascendant, and anarchic.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
13 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The announcement follows the federal government’s crackdown on illicit sports gambling and point-shaving schemes that involved the NBA in October.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The idea is to remove non-paying riders, often who are homeless, mentally ill or taking illicit drugs, from the system.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Levy was booked into the Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale on charges of disorderly intoxication and trespassing in an occupied structure or conveyance.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
1 Dec. 2025
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And the beeps only get louder when all that happens within days of a disorderly Bitcoin breakdown and the GenZ-courting brokerage firm Robinhood starting a service to send literal cash to clients via a delivery app.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
15 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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William Daggett, who later served as Mitchellville’s police chief and interim city administrator before resigning the day the state audit was released, is charged with first-degree theft and felonious misconduct in office.—
Nick El Hajj,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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The suspect is a 29-year-old woman from Lincoln Park, who faces multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding, felonious assault on a police officer, and operating under the influence of drugs.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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