as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
some sociologists specialize in studying the lawbreaking elements of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
even something as simple as littering is considered an example of lawbreaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawbreaking
Adjective
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Some 18,500 people, or 44%, of those in ICE custody in mid-February had a criminal conviction or pending charges.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025 -
Nationwide, younger people are more likely to be arrested but California's aging population means fewer individuals in the age groups most associated with criminal activity.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In 2020, in a Big Ten-on-SEC crime, No. 15 Iowa (6-2) would have replaced No. 9 Georgia (7-2).—
Stewart Mandel,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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An Associated Press-NORC poll, conducted from January 9 to 13 among 1,147 adults, found that 83 percent of Americans support deporting migrants living in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of a violent crime, while only 6 percent would oppose doing so.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In turn, episodes of fraud and misconduct in small local governments don’t always surface publicly unless criminal charges are filed – and problems short of criminality may be kept quiet.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2025
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The department has since played the role of overseer in the investigation, and reserves the right to take over again in the event of potential criminality.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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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
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
Noun
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Since this was a probation violation, Einstein was sent back to jail.—
Keith Sharon,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The attorneys general sued Musk last week, arguing that his role in the government is a violation of the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, which gives presidents the power to appoint officials who must then be confirmed by the Senate.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Toxicology results also found there were no illicit drugs in her system.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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That includes caffeine, alcohol, and illicit drugs, says Dr. Lokesh Shahani, a psychiatrist with UTHealth Houston.—
Angela Haupt,
TIME,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The cityscape is comparable to Las Vegas, without the sin of course.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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In Terror at the Gates, Lilith Leviathan, on the run from her powerful family, arrives in Ninevah, a district of Eden that’s known for its taste for sin.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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