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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
Spielberg shifts tonal gears with practiced ease, a sense of awe going hand in hand with an ebullient comic anarchy.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
-
Knicks fans have been leaning into the joke, posting TikTok edits foreshadowing Gotham-like anarchy.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The Statesman reported last December that Boise police provided extra security to Mayor Lauren McLean after Fitzpatrick offered a minimum $10,000 reward for information that could lead to her arrest and conviction — for unidentified crimes.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
-
Yet, a year later, only one woman has been charged with the crimes federal immigration authorities said drew them to the meatpacking plant in the first place.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Both Dodington and Blanton praised the state for treating violence as a public health problem rather than an issue of criminality.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
-
That politicians and governments and banks and other far-reaching institutions do not face the consequences of their criminality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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