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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawless
Temporary means temporary and this is yet another lawless and activist order from the federal judiciary who continues to undermine our immigration laws.
—
CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The proliferation of novel cognitive frameworks through social media, as well as the election of corrupt and lawless people to high office, has intimidated the old elites into hastily reevaluating what is appropriate.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Conversations between Linda and Bradley play like a high-stakes battle of wits, but their director is never so far away as to make the match feel lawless.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Lane lines on the roads become mere suggestions in that lawless clime, as do traffic lights.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The proliferation of novel cognitive frameworks through social media, as well as the election of corrupt and lawless people to high office, has intimidated the old elites into hastily reevaluating what is appropriate.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Conversations between Linda and Bradley play like a high-stakes battle of wits, but their director is never so far away as to make the match feel lawless.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Lane lines on the roads become mere suggestions in that lawless clime, as do traffic lights.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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Now, new emails have revealed how some notable figures were well aware of Epstein’s sensitivity around his criminal past.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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McCarthy warned that being too quick to bring untested criminal cases against political adversaries risks damaging institutional legitimacy regardless of which party is in power.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 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
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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 brand cultivates a fun, rebellious, and inclusive culture.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
9 Feb. 2026
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Your 11th House of Friendship hosts Venus, who squares rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources, pushing group plans against changing costs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These new regulations impose the world’s fastest removal deadline, requiring platforms to take down unlawful synthetic media within three hours of notification.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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On Wednesday, a coalition of health and environmental groups sued the EPA over the revocation, calling it unlawful and harmful.—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Unfolding in 1870s Oxford and venturing abroad, the series will expose the early antics of the anarchic adolescent who is yet to evolve into Baker Street’s most renowned resident.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Social issue and character driven, events are steered by Swiss gold trader Hannah who, with her company teetering towards collapse, turns to illicit trading.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
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Students subsequently signed a pledge promising to say no to illicit substances and study two hours per night, and engaged in a call-and-response chant with Jackson.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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