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
Lane lines on the roads become mere suggestions in that lawless clime, as do traffic lights.
—
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the idea that college football specifically has become a lawless jungle that only benefits the wealthy would be turned on its head if the Hoosiers pull off an undefeated season and take down storied program after storied program.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
But here, such altruistic considerations do not justify capitulating to a lawless authoritarian in the White House.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the idea that college football specifically has become a lawless jungle that only benefits the wealthy would be turned on its head if the Hoosiers pull off an undefeated season and take down storied program after storied program.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
But here, such altruistic considerations do not justify capitulating to a lawless authoritarian in the White House.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
-
The only requirements for the position are lived experience as a parent or child in the child welfare system, having had their welfare case closed for one year, and not having any criminal system involvement for two years.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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The ongoing release of the Epstein files haven’t necessarily revealed any new elements of criminal wrongdoing in the media class.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 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
-
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
-
Your 6th House of Labor hosts mental Mercury, which squares rebellious Uranus in your 9th House of Journeys, stirring tension between tradition and modernization.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Lang went on to appear in most of Fuller’s films, including playing a rebellious German countess in his 1980 war epic The Big Red One, and several by their friend Wim Wenders.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Federal authorities at the time said the man was arrested on suspicion of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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We are confronted by an administration that is contemptuous of the Bill of Rights and engaged in unlawful acts of violence against us.—
Chris Mattei,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Could this be the anarchic mind that emerges when the ego relinquishes its hold?—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
About 15 years ago, in February 2011, a menacing group of young adults set the internet ablaze with its anarchic musical performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2021, then-Mayor Lamar Thorpe proposed a citywide crime-prevention plan to help local youths involved in illicit activities get off the streets.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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The latest Epstein documents include a series of emails that Epstein sent to himself in 2013, appearing to suggest that Gates was having an extramarital affair and seeking illicit drugs.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
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The biggest risk for government bonds is the possibility that the Bank of Japan is behind the curve, which could trigger disorderly inflation and necessitate more frequent rate hikes.—
Masahiro Hidaka,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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William Brock, 83, was sentenced this week to 21 years to life for murder, felonious assault and kidnapping in Toland-Hall’s killing.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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Shaquanda Danielle Tankersley of Detroit was sentenced Monday in Third Circuit Court to one to four years in prison on a charge of felonious assault, court officials said.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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