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
Local officials, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, have challenged claims of widespread lawlessness.
—
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Still, contrary to the president’s depiction of constant violent lawlessness, neighbors say most of the time there is little to see.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
By September 10th, Nepal had descended into a state of lawlessness, a country without a government or authority.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
These areas are where wildlife in the depths can thrive—protected from lawlessness and the impacts of overfishing, pollution, and shipping, plus newer threats like deep-sea mining.
—Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
In an unprecedented breach of law and decency, the president is threatening to send federal forces to our city, in an unironic attempt to combat nonexistent lawlessness in Chicago.
—Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Reports of lawlessness spread, but Honoré said that people confused looting with survival.
—Reena Advani, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
In recent weeks, hundreds of National Guard members fanned out across the nation’s capital as part of what the White House has framed as an urgent crackdown on crime and lawlessness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
Courts have found that threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 June 2025
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Still, contrary to the president’s depiction of constant violent lawlessness, neighbors say most of the time there is little to see.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
By September 10th, Nepal had descended into a state of lawlessness, a country without a government or authority.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
These areas are where wildlife in the depths can thrive—protected from lawlessness and the impacts of overfishing, pollution, and shipping, plus newer threats like deep-sea mining.
—Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
In an unprecedented breach of law and decency, the president is threatening to send federal forces to our city, in an unironic attempt to combat nonexistent lawlessness in Chicago.
—Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Reports of lawlessness spread, but Honoré said that people confused looting with survival.
—Reena Advani, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
In recent weeks, hundreds of National Guard members fanned out across the nation’s capital as part of what the White House has framed as an urgent crackdown on crime and lawlessness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
Courts have found that threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
The film follows Amanda Aaltonen, a fiercely independent young woman with a spirit of anarchy and adventure.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The vehement characters DiCaprio and Taylor inhabit end up having a daughter out of wedlock during a time where their society is on the brink of anarchy.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Tennessee law holds that those who committed crimes before 1999 can choose between being put to death by lethal injection or the electric chair.—
Evan Mealins,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The office's programming extends to other areas as well, including domestic violence, human trafficking and interacting with victims of crimes.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The first is to expose Hamas’s criminality and the futility of its terror, which has led to the annihilation of Gaza.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
23 Sep. 2025
-
His manipulating voters with their own tax dollars borders on criminality.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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