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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
What Joe Biden allowed was anarchy, and that anarchy is going to create chaos.—
Siena Duncan,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025 -
More recently, Libya collapsed into anarchy after the fall of Moammar Gaddafi, and U.S. attempts to influence regime change in Venezuela have gone nowhere.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Her only 'crime' seems to be coming from the 'wrong' country.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
Despite decades of investment, more than $74 million across 11 southern African reserves, rhino poaching continues at alarming rates, driven by global horn demand, inequality, corruption and organized crime.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
That much of this criminality has occurred on American college campuses is because many who inhabit these campuses – faculty, administrators, and students – either support it or refuse to condemn it.—
Jay Bergman,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
-
The state has failed to produce a single piece of evidence linking me to any act of violence or criminality.—
Mahrang Baloch,
Time,
10 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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