lawbreaker

noun

law·​break·​er ˈlȯ-ˌbrā-kər How to pronounce lawbreaker (audio)
: a person who violates the law
lawbreaking adjective or noun

Examples of lawbreaker in a Sentence

He admitted to being a lawbreaker. legislation that mandates lengthy prison sentences for chronic lawbreakers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The county jail has become a catchall for both lawbreakers and mentally ill people, due to a lack of appropriate facilities or programs to treat mental illness, according to Krish Gundu, co-founder and executive director of Texas Jail Project, a jail reform advocacy group. Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 8 July 2024 Shrinking the market would require reducing the hard-drug use of about three million people in the United States who are both heavy users of expensive illicit drugs and also active lawbreakers. Mark A. R. Kleiman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011 Oakland is in the middle of one of its most turbulent times in decades, fueled by its mayor, Sheng Thao, who is being recalled next month by voters frustrated over crime, corruption, and a reluctance to hold lawbreakers accountable. Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Oct. 2024 A lot of times, these bush-league but prolific lawbreakers basically got a warning, then another warning, then maybe a couple of months in county. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lawbreaker 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lawbreaker was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lawbreaker

Cite this Entry

“Lawbreaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawbreaker. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lawbreaker

noun
law·​break·​er ˈlȯ-ˌbrā-kər How to pronounce lawbreaker (audio)
: a person who breaks the law
lawbreaking adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lawbreaker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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