1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
the level of lawless activity in the territory had reached the point where the authorities felt compelled to act
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 lawless
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Those courageous enough to refuse to capitulate to the administration’s lawless requests have faced intensifying pressure and threats.
—Erin M. Carr, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
During his first 100 days in office, Trump has been lawless, issuing 139 executive orders (and only signing five laws).
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
The subway has been the target of frequent attacks by Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, who has described it as lawless and dangerous, even as crime in the system has fallen.
—Maia Coleman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Adjective
Venture into a lawless frontier and reveal deeper mysteries about a new Dredgen in Sol.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Those courageous enough to refuse to capitulate to the administration’s lawless requests have faced intensifying pressure and threats.
—Erin M. Carr, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
During his first 100 days in office, Trump has been lawless, issuing 139 executive orders (and only signing five laws).
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
The subway has been the target of frequent attacks by Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, who has described it as lawless and dangerous, even as crime in the system has fallen.
—Maia Coleman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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Following his release from prison, Kerik was a vocal critic of the criminal justice system and a staunch ally of Trump.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
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Murrill’s office also invoked the habitual offenders statute, where criminal defendants can be tagged as habitual offenders after a fourth felony charge, according to Louisiana law, and face longer prison sentences.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Noun
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When Herod enters, the music lurches between saccharine waltz episodes and spasms of Expressionistic anarchy—a fracturing of the lingua franca.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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There’s never an explanation for his madness or his scars, just as there’s never a straightforward articulation of his plans beyond the broad incitement of anarchy.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Grimes County Sheriff's Office What To Know Police in Grimes County, Texas, are still searching for Mathis, who was last seen on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Mathis was arrested on January 2 accused of multiple crimes in Victoria and Grimes counties.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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Miami Herald 305-376-3446 Jay Weaver writes about federal crime at the crossroads of South Florida and Latin America.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The court concluded that the administration’s unilateral actions without approval by Congress were unlawful.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.—
Will Matsuda,
New York Times,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The movie exploited the loosening codes of the time, to make for a more frank depiction of urban criminality.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
31 May 2025
-
In the defense’s opener, Geragos said the money was offered to shield bad publicity, not evidence of criminality.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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These two regions are no longer promising New World upstarts or rebellious outposts of Bordeaux.—
Jessica Dupuy,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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Meanwhile, Paul finds himself in a work crisis that puts the lifestyle of Julie and their rebellious son Russ (Simon Webster) in jeopardy, leading Julie back to the dopey sweetness of Carey.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Instead of calling for an expansive probe, however, the president identified just one potential target: ActBlue, the Democrats’ online fundraising juggernaut, which has acknowledged receiving over 200 potentially illicit contributions last year from foreign internet addresses.—
Brian Slodysko,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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Wetherell wrote that Trump's justification for the tariffs -- both stemming the flow of illicit drugs into the country and resolving a trade imbalance -- is sufficient to satisfy the terms set by Congress.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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