Synonyms of lawlessness

lawlessness

noun

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

• anarchy
• chaos
• unrest
• misrule
• turmoil
• strife
• turbulence
• upheaval
• confusion
• disruption
• havoc
• disorder
• anarchism
• commotion
• criminality
• disorganization
• riot
• rebellion
• disarray
• uprising
• revolution
• mutiny
• disturbance
• tumult
• disorderliness
• uproar
• outlawry
• misorder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• law
• rule
• legitimacy
• legality
• lawfulness
• peace
• law-abidingness
• harmony
• tranquility
• order
• orderliness
• peacefulness
• calmness
• quiet
• peaceableness

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

• crime
• criminality
• corruption
• lawbreaking
• evil
• racketeering
• malfeasance
• outlawry
• misconduct
• immorality
• gangsterism
• wickedness
• wrongdoing
• hooliganism
• sin
• depravity
• trespass
• transgression
• misdeed
• offense
• malefaction
• misdoing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lawlessness

Ramaphosa accused these groups of exploiting migration anxieties to sow division through lawlessness and violence. —Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 June 2026

The lawlessness, corruption, hypocrisy and plain old evil coming out of the White House these days is astounding and overwhelming. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 31 May 2026

But some Democrats worry her mayoral record during the tumult of the pandemic, which included struggles to deal with violent protests and lawlessness, along with her stunning decision not to seek a second term would hobble her bid. —Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026

And the message that lawlessness runs the streets is over. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026

The only alternative is lawlessness—the end result of an approach that has turned the City of Angels into an open-air homeless encampment. —Washington Post, 7 May 2026

That includes defending Congress’s role on war powers and stopping ICE’s lawlessness. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

By three o’clock, our lawlessness had caught up with us; the line of students was long and our supplies were low. —Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026

The professors said that after their arrests, they were targeted by threats and harassment, part of a pushback by conservatives who said universities were failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism and allowing lawlessness. —CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026