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

Another example of lawlessness was Trump putting his name on the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, subsequently denied by another sitting federal court judge. — Miles J. Zaremski, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Ne-Yo endeared himself to a legion of women bruised by the very men who’d eventually steer R&B into an era of lawlessness. — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026

Italy, like France, witnessed a day of protests on Saturday — several turning violent — as some Italian politicians blamed the extreme left for the lawlessness. — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Elsewhere, however, the book suggests that the present lawlessness is itself that better outcome. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

But more important to us right now is getting healthcare to the American people and ending the lawlessness. — NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Decent law-abiding Israelis living in Judea/Samaria are also disgusted by behavior of the few who violate civil law & Torah by violence & lawlessness. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026

Still, Nixon created a blueprint for presidential lawlessness that Trump imitated and greatly expanded. — Elizabeth Holtzman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

At the same time, there were many voices worried about the potential lawlessness. — Robbie Morrison, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026