LAWBREAKING Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

lawbreaking 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lawbreaking

as in criminal

not restrained by or under the control of legal authority some sociologists specialize in studying the lawbreaking elements of society

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lawbreaking

2 of 2

noun

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code even something as simple as littering is considered an example of lawbreaking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in criminality

activities that are in violation of the laws of the state an outbreak of lawbreaking plagued the city in the months following the end of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lawbreaking

Noun

Similarly, Newport Beach had warned partygoers to avoid lawbreaking before the takeover. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 These are discrete allegations of lawbreaking, and any remedy must match their magnitude. — David B McGarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026 Leifman has been leading the charge for a facility that judges could use as an alternative to Miami-Dade’s jails for people whose mental illnesses seem to be the main driver behind their lawbreaking. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026 Both Goss and DeVries agreed senior citizens should notify police if residents have been victims of scams or have concerns before moving ahead with possible lawbreaking schemes. — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 In an effort to send a message to any minors planning to descend on the Jersey Shore for a weekend of lawbreaking and recklessness, Vaz is vowing to prosecute both the offending child and their parents. — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026 These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking. — CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 The sponsor of the employer crime bill said that lawbreaking was wrong and the bill is constitutional. — Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 Barack Obama pledged to look forward and not backwards, not only closing the door on prosecutions for executive lawbreaking but also failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawbreaking

Adjective

The police spokesperson said Perez was taken into custody without incident and charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The leader of one of Haiti’s most powerful criminal organizations said the Salvadorans were killed in territory controlled by Chen Mechan, an allied gang.

— Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminal

Noun

Both candidates believe violent crime should be the priority at the district attorney’s office.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
The state persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education, and disenchanted voters are pleading for change.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Investigators, however, believe there was no criminality and that the cause was an electrical fire in one of the fifth-floor apartments.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminality

Adjective

Converse and Vaquera are coming together again with a rebellious spirit.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
In the episode on the 1993 timeline, the team intervenes when a general’s rebellious teen son is targeted by a dangerous former gang member.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

So far, the most plausible driver of recent declines in overdose deaths is a change in the illicit drug supply.

— J. Travis Donahoe, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026
But how and through whom the money flowed into the Alpha account revealed that it was intended to remain secret, more akin to a covert and illicit scheme, given that it was managed in part by a senior advisor to the president of the United States.

— Matthew Cole, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of illicit

Noun

Confession is looked at as some kind of sin and it’s associated with shame.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
Lamb, who was once floated for the service’s top job, treats his current position as a kind of penance for past sins, both for himself and for his underlings.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

The police arrested Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, on suspicion of driving under the influence, causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run, gross vehicular manslaughter and other crimes.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The 22 others were facing a combination of felony charges including lying on their naturalization application during interviews or on voter registration forms.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of felony

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lawbreakers

lawbreaking

lawbreakings

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Style

“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lawbreaking

adjective

noun

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