lawless

adjective

ˈlȯ-ləs How to pronounce lawless (audio)
Definition of lawlessnext
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

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 lawless That would save countless American lives, not to mention billions of taxpayer dollars squandered on welfare for these lawless invaders. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026 For the people listening, Cum Town could feel like a transmission from a more lawless internet, where the jokes moved faster than the self-consciousness around them. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 By the end of that series, Kim had forsaken her lawless life in Albuquerque and moved to a Florida suburb, giving up her legal career to work in peace at a sprinkler company. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 9 June 2026 Coming later this year, Bass X Macina is set in a lawless Steampunk West overrun by brutal outlaws, machines and supernatural terrors, while Sparks of Tomorrow follows how technological progress evolved along a different path shaped by steam power blankets Kyoto in smoke. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
  1. criminal
  2. unlawful
  3. rebellious
  4. illicit
  5. anarchic
  6. felonious
  7. disorderly
Adjective
  • Kayden Bordley, 19, faces one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action, according to a Jackson County charging document.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • The Chino Police Department is leading the criminal investigation.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Kayden Bordley, 19, faces one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action, according to a Jackson County charging document.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • The hours-long pandemonium involved some teenaged children and young adults throwing mortars, fireworks and more at those who crowded about and at police officers, a grocery store getting merchandise stolen and an unlawful assembly declared.
    — Sierra van der Brug, Oc Register, 6 July 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • For seven seasons, a hodgepodge crew mixing Starfleet and the rebellious Maquis put aside their differences after they got zapped 70,000 lightyears away from Earth, deep into the uncharted Delta Quadrant.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
  • This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • As a result, the bill would leave parts of the crypto ecosystem vulnerable to exploitation by terrorists, sanctions evaders, fraudsters, and other illicit actors under the guise of technological neutrality.
    — Richard Nephew, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • Though the film ends with Lori and John getting married (despite Ted's various illicit shenanigans), Ted 2 reveals that the pair have divorced.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • The whole thing is an anarchic delirium reminiscent of the kind experienced by Bart and Milhouse after drinking an all-syrup Super Squishee; thankfully, the comedown is quick and relatively painless.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • The story links the creatures’ anarchic physical comedy to silent-era pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
Definition of anarchic
Adjective
  • Police were serving a search warrant from a felonious assault case.
    — Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 26 June 2026
  • In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of murder, felonious assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, drug possession, and criminal tools possession (psilocybin mushrooms and a scale were found at the crime scene).
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 June 2026
Definition of felonious
Adjective
  • Their charges reportedly include assaulting a police officer, disorderly behavior in a police station, disorderly behavior, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm and two counts of damage and obstruction.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
  • She was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center and was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, breach of peace/disorderly intoxication.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Definition of disorderly

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lawgivers
lawless
lawlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lawless for Spanish Speakers

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