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
Its cruel and even lawless excesses have reverberated around the globe.
—
Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
The crypto super PACs leveraged that strategy to flip crypto policy in America in one election cycle from imperfect but sensible to essentially lawless.
—Lawrence Lessig, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
On the other hand, abandoning public spaces — such as parks — to lawless tent encampments isn’t fair to residents, either.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
There would be no government, no police, no fire department, no traffic laws, no court of justice; life would be totally free but totally lawless.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
The crypto super PACs leveraged that strategy to flip crypto policy in America in one election cycle from imperfect but sensible to essentially lawless.
—Lawrence Lessig, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
On the other hand, abandoning public spaces — such as parks — to lawless tent encampments isn’t fair to residents, either.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
There would be no government, no police, no fire department, no traffic laws, no court of justice; life would be totally free but totally lawless.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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On the other side, De la Espriella has promised to fiercely crack down on criminal groups and build 10 megaprisons, following in a similar vein as El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, in his war on gangs, which has been beset by abuses, according to findings by human rights groups.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously said Roberts had a criminal history that included a narcotics possession offense.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 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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Your 8th House of Shared Resources shifts as the moody Moon moves there, opposing rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
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In a culture obsessed with self-improvement, doing something badly and privately can feel almost rebellious.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Multiple lawsuits from advocacy groups, Capitol police officers and others call the program unlawful and corrupt, as Congress presses acting Atty.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Kelly's mother, Barbara Renner, is charged with manslaughter, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, is charged with unlawful imprisonment.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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In a nod to the Marx Brothers’ anarchic spirit, Ramseur announced the project on April 1.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
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No one embodies this anarchic sensibility like David Letterman, the original Late Show host, who recently joined Colbert to hurl CBS property off the studio’s roof, in a reprisal of a vintage bit.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The goal of all this havoc is not to destroy democracy, according to Vergara—though that might be a welcome side effect, to some—but to torpedo the rule of law and thereby protect illicit financial gains.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
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Barred from filming inside, the documentarians turned to activist inmates who documented incidents on illicit cellphones in an attempt to bring attention to the inhumane conditions.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Maryland State Police says these rallies include street racing, disorderly behavior, and blocking roadways.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Medina faced charges that included obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors that included destruction of government property and disorderly and disruptive conduct.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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She was charged with felonious assault, reports 13 Action News.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
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Another woman, identified as 28-year-old Jessica Anderson, was arrested on the scene and charged with felonious assault, WTOL and WTVG reported, citing police.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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