lawless

adjective

law·​less ˈlȯ-ləs 

1

: not regulated by or based on law

2

a

: not restrained or controlled by law : unruly

b

: illegal

lawlessly adverb

lawlessness noun

Synonyms

• anarchic
• anarchical
• disorderly
• lawbreaking
• unruly

Examples of lawless in a Sentence

the lawless society of the frontier

the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight

Recent Examples on the Web

This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed ... —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

Among his memorable moments on the set was when Joe Pesci — who played Marv's lawless counterpart Harry — bit Macaulay Culkin, who starred as the child protagonist Kevin McCallister. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

In other words, if state and local police help ICE agents and other federal officials to conduct violent and lawless raids, those police—and by extension, local taxpayers— may be on the hook for damages to victims. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

But the public reaction has been even wilder, even more lawless. —Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lawless

adjective

law·​less ˈlȯ-ləs 

1

: not based on or regulated by law

the lawless society of the frontier

2

: not controlled by law : unruly, disorderly

lawless mob

lawlessly adverb

lawlessness noun

Legal Definition

lawless

adjective

law·​less

1

: not restrained or controlled by law

2

: illegal

a lawless act

lawlessly adverb

lawlessness noun