1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawless
On Tuesday, Garth Hudson, who played organ, accordion, saxophone, and more as a member of the Band—perhaps still the group that best embodies the glorious, lawless amalgamation of styles at the very heart of rock and roll—died at the age of eighty-seven, near Woodstock, New York.
—
Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
That merely raises the dangerous specter of future lawless conduct by other poor losers and undermines the rule of law.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2025
Instead, he was trafficked across the border to wartorn Myanmar’s lawless Myawaddy region, where he was forcibly put to work conducting online scams.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed ...
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lawless 
Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
That merely raises the dangerous specter of future lawless conduct by other poor losers and undermines the rule of law.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2025
Instead, he was trafficked across the border to wartorn Myanmar’s lawless Myawaddy region, where he was forcibly put to work conducting online scams.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed ...
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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Homan provided an update to Fox News on two ongoing probes, including a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which Homan says points to a possible leak within the FBI.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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The judge reminded federal officials that continuing to ignore his order could be cause for criminal contempt.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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Trump, Musk so far provide scant evidence for their claims of government fraud Trump's post on Saturday sparked backlash from Democrats, who accused him of using the office of the presidency to justify unlawful or ethically dubious actions.—
Julia Reinstein,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2025
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Legal experts say the moves are likely unlawful, workers complain they were sloppily handled, and the whole process runs the risk of doing long-term damage to critical workings of the federal government.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The wildly rebellious press across Europe are a vibrant sign of its free speech.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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Luna will meet with rebellious Uranus in a surprising trine, bringing a jolt of excitement and unexpected revelations to your love life.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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At first, the illicit supply would also ship directly from China to the US, but it’s evolved into disparate streams.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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Footage showed authorities removing the illicit items from his pockets following the apprehension.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Southern Californian residential architecture has long been mocked for its anarchic eclecticism.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2025
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But will the raucous, anarchic comedy win anything?—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Walter went to trial again on Oct. 11, 2011, facing the same judge and the same charges of felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
10 Jan. 2025
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He was indicted in July and previously faced two counts of felonious assault and four counts of endangering children.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Would-be travelers can also be removed from a Spirit flight for acting disorderly or violent, appearing to be intoxicated or refusing to use a seat belt.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Chief Martin should seek publicity by doing notable policing not inflaming disorderly person allegations.—
Jack Irvin,
People.com,
2 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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