1
as in anarchy
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority
the western frontier was notorious for its lawlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crime
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state
lawlessness in the city had reached an unconscionable and intolerable level
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawlessness
Israeli officials and military leaders have recently sounded the alarm over intensifying violence and lawlessness by extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank, where arsons and deadly attacks have continued unabated.
—
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
As Euphoria’s creator, writer, and director, Sam Levinson wants to craft a show about the pervasiveness of fentanyl, the dangers of addiction, and the lawlessness of the American West.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The lawlessness afoot in Venezuela’s capital city is vibrantly captured in this gripping adaptation of Karina Sainz Borgo’s novel from the filmmaking team behind Bad Hair (Festival 2014).
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Marylanders must never forget that many of the Democratic politicians still in office today once openly tolerated or supported the lawlessness that led to the destruction of the Columbus statue.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Spring break at Daytona Beach has once again descended into lawlessness.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
We are united in reining in the lawlessness of ICE.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
To control the increasing lawlessness that was occurring in the Torres Strait region and regulate the two commercial marine industries, the colonial government of Queensland officially annexed many of the islands in the Torres Strait in 1872 and the remainder of them in 1879.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Courts have found that true threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
As Euphoria’s creator, writer, and director, Sam Levinson wants to craft a show about the pervasiveness of fentanyl, the dangers of addiction, and the lawlessness of the American West.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The lawlessness afoot in Venezuela’s capital city is vibrantly captured in this gripping adaptation of Karina Sainz Borgo’s novel from the filmmaking team behind Bad Hair (Festival 2014).
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Marylanders must never forget that many of the Democratic politicians still in office today once openly tolerated or supported the lawlessness that led to the destruction of the Columbus statue.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Spring break at Daytona Beach has once again descended into lawlessness.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
We are united in reining in the lawlessness of ICE.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
To control the increasing lawlessness that was occurring in the Torres Strait region and regulate the two commercial marine industries, the colonial government of Queensland officially annexed many of the islands in the Torres Strait in 1872 and the remainder of them in 1879.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Courts have found that true threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
For the first time in US history, American physical dominance is being fused with American political anarchy.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The result would be less medical freedom than medical anarchy.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Webster was arraigned Wednesday on charges of assault with intent to murder and lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thus, Ahmed’s Hamlet discovers not just his father’s murder and betrayal but also the criminality on which his family’s entire wealth has been built.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But your research suggests that there might be genetic factors that lead to aggressive behavior or other forms of criminality.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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