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

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

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