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
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Recent Examples of lawless
Yes, because all Democrats want to prevent the president of the United States from engaging in lawless activity.
—
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
In Cat, Katherine Rogers suggests that coexisting with lawless cats flatters our liberal egos.
—Rebecca Van Laer
september 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
In Cat, Katherine Rogers suggests that coexisting with lawless cats flatters our liberal egos.
—Rebecca Van Laer
september 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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The discovery helped open the door to more recent developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples, and tracing family trees and ancient human ancestors.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 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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Silicon Valley definitely has so much of that rebellious spirit.—
Andre Byik,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
On Tracker, Ackles portrays Russell, Colter’s charismatic and rebellious older brother, who has a similar skill set and lack of stable home life.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Christina Leona Cowens, 41, was initially arrested last week on suspicion of felony grand theft, along with misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of human remains and attempting to conceal a death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Several organizations have sued the administration, saying the cancellations were unlawful and that they are owed thousands of dollars in outstanding expenses.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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For all his anarchic uncontrollability, Buzz is a natural leader — someone that everyone else immediately defines himself in relation to — and Farrell is perfectly cast on that score.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Lanthimos’ films written with Filippou are dark, odd and abrasive, but unpredictable and anarchic in a strangely enchanting way.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Recent investigations like OpenLux and the 2017 series Panama Papers, however, reveal how bad actors also sometimes use these havens to launder illicit cash and evade taxes.—
Deena Sabry,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sliwa, the Republican nominee, told Fox News Digital that a Mamdani mayoralty would expand prostitution and trafficking across the city and cement Roosevelt Avenue’s reputation as a red-light corridor of illicit activity and violence.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Since the July legislation expired on Oct. 5, the district has seen several instances of disorderly behavior by teenagers, including the takeover of a movie theater in Chinatown and an Oct. 19 fight among over 100 adolescents.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Nov. 2025
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She was charged with disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer/firefighter/EMT, resisting arrest with violence and threatening a public servant, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But police have requested that the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office file a felonious assault charge against her, per the outlet.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Breanna Wright is charged with murder, felonious assault and child endangerment for the death of 7-month-old Leylani Wright, Cincinnati police said.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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