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
  • If found not guilty due to a lack of criminal responsibility, she would be committed to a state mental health facility.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Police identified the suspect as 21-year-old Saleem Martin, who has been charged with kidnapping, theft by taking, simple battery, entering an automobile, cruelty to children and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Since Congress never approved that relocation, the move is unlawful, the lawsuit alleges.
    — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • When the Miami commission approved the unlawful ordinance last summer, the change went into effect immediately.
    — Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • While many may remember Cooter as a gregarious good ‘ol boy, the character had a wild, rebellious side in the first season of the show.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In a somewhat rebellious moment, Meghan attended her first Trooping the Colour ceremony wearing an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • This ongoing challenge raises significant questions about the control of programmable dollars and the effectiveness of stablecoin freezes in combating illicit finance, which increasingly relies on these digital assets.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • For example, libertarians generally argue that owning guns, using illicit drugs and refusing vaccinations are individual rights that must be protected from the harm of infringement via regulation.
    — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 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
  • Zachary Robert Stacer, 22, was arrested on July 30 and charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, three counts of felonious assault and five counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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

Browse Nearby Words

lawgivers
lawless
lawlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lawless for Spanish Speakers

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