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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawless
This is a lawless administration.
—
Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 26 Sep. 2025
Our legal system has painstakingly determined the narrow range of speech that is not legally protected, such as speech that is intended to — and in fact does — incite imminent lawless action.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
People who were a bit lawless – there’s a real excitement to that.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
This one is told in frantic style, edgeless and raw to the nubs, winding its way through lawless Colombian streetways.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 26 Sep. 2025
Our legal system has painstakingly determined the narrow range of speech that is not legally protected, such as speech that is intended to — and in fact does — incite imminent lawless action.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
People who were a bit lawless – there’s a real excitement to that.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
This one is told in frantic style, edgeless and raw to the nubs, winding its way through lawless Colombian streetways.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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As Robbie's actions target stash houses run by the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang, a deadly turf war erupts, escalating tensions in the city and drawing both law enforcement and criminal factions into a high-stakes battle over control, survival and justice.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.—
NPR,
NPR,
19 Oct. 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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The government’s lawyers argued the ruling effectively guts a statute aimed at reducing gun violence by preventing unlawful drug users from wielding firearms.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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He was arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center on suspicion of reckless driving, unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, striking fixtures on a highway, excessive speeds, criminal trespass and other charges, the release said.—
Julie Mendes,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
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With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Trump has made combating the opioid crisis, particularly the influx of illicit fentanyl, a central focus of his administration's policies.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Fox News exclusively embedded with the Austin Police Department as part of a nationwide human trafficking operation targeting illicit Chinese massage parlors.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And with former head coach Mike Vrabel—Callahan’s predecessor who was fired just two years ago after a 6-11 season—coming to town this week with his AFC East-leading New England Patriots, the spotlight is shining bright on just how anarchic the organization currently is.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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There are not many taboos at Burning Man, so those that persist at the otherwise staunchly anarchic event do so for a reason.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bennett says the 24-year-old is being charged with felonious assault for the shooting.—
Tre Mathews,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Oct. 2025
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Travis Jackson, 36, is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and discharging a firearm.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There may not be a more disorderly team in the NFL right now than the Tennessee Titans.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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Whether this triggers a more disorderly unwind in gold remains to be seen, of course, and there's no telling how stocks might correlate to such a reversal.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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