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
The White House regularly characterizes undocumented immigrants as drivers of urban lawlessness, even though the data show that is not true.
—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
However, the show of force - welcomed by some Palestinians following months of lawlessness - could threaten the truce with Israel.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
And the reason why Illinois is a different case from Chicago is because Chicago has been given over to lawlessness and gangs for too long, George.
—ABC News, 12 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … BADGE REVOLT – Police officers reveal DC 'lawlessness' as feds probe alleged crime data manipulation.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Hamas’ execution and torture of Palestinians suspected of collaboration with Israel has only worsened the situation, leading to chaos and lawlessness in many parts of Gaza.
—Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2025
In Myanmar, scam compounds have been shielded by corruption and lawlessness that has long saturated the country’s border regions.
—Helen Regan, 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
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
However, the show of force - welcomed by some Palestinians following months of lawlessness - could threaten the truce with Israel.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
And the reason why Illinois is a different case from Chicago is because Chicago has been given over to lawlessness and gangs for too long, George.
—ABC News, 12 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … BADGE REVOLT – Police officers reveal DC 'lawlessness' as feds probe alleged crime data manipulation.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Hamas’ execution and torture of Palestinians suspected of collaboration with Israel has only worsened the situation, leading to chaos and lawlessness in many parts of Gaza.
—Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2025
In Myanmar, scam compounds have been shielded by corruption and lawlessness that has long saturated the country’s border regions.
—Helen Regan, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
If convicted on the anarchy charge, protesters could be sentenced to prison for up to three years while being banned from working as an administrator or teacher in schools.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Other dystopian genre films like The Omega Man, starring Charlton Heston, or World War Z, starring Brad Pitt, imagine the anarchy coming from a virus that breaks society and turns neighbors into literal zombies.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His wife, Rebecca Haro, was charged with two crimes — murder and filing a false report — and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing the day Jake Haro will be sentenced.—
Madeline Morrison,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Rafael is a crime and breaking news reporter at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE under President Barack Obama, said the tactics are not aimed at fighting criminality – they’re designed to increase overall arrests.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Rank, whose company recently remade Ingmar Bergsson classic film Faithless as a European TV series, praised Adolescence for matching up the genre beats of a crime story with the higher concepts around criminality, toxic masculinity and family, and the one-shot filming techniques.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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