1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawless
In many ways, The Huntress is a Western, with the protagonist attempting to create a civilised place in a lawless land.
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John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024
The report portrayed the unpaid base as an almost lawless entity, describing hostile power struggles with staff and near-total impunity.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
The Russian war against Ukraine has been equally cruel and equally lawless, in many instances copying tactics used in Syria.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
Trump’s party recoiled, if only briefly, from the lawless violence of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol.
—Barton Gellman, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lawless 
John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024
The report portrayed the unpaid base as an almost lawless entity, describing hostile power struggles with staff and near-total impunity.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
The Russian war against Ukraine has been equally cruel and equally lawless, in many instances copying tactics used in Syria.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
Trump’s party recoiled, if only briefly, from the lawless violence of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol.
—Barton Gellman, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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The State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal case in December regarding the management of the brigade, which has experienced high levels of desertion and issues related to staffing and management.Marc Santora, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
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After another fight, Lauren was charged with third-degree assault, criminal mischief, and underage drinking.Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 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
Adjective
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In finding the defendant guilty in this case, the jury necessarily found unanimously that the defendant falsified 34 separate entries in his business records with the intent to defraud, which included an intent to commit or conceal a conspiracy to promote his own election by unlawful means.ABC NEWS, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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Capitol Police identified him Thursday as Adrian J. Hinton, 35, saying he was arrested for unlawful activities.Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Illiberal leaders select their cabinet members in the same way that emperors used to choose the governors of rebellious provinces: What matters most is the appointee’s loyalty and capacity to resist being suborned or co-opted by others.Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
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The news is a huge deal because rebellious Prince Fiyero is the ultimate catch for the students and Galinda.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Throughout the Biden administration, Cuba has worked with U.S. law enforcement – primarily through its engagement with the FBI as well as through the multilateral body Financial Action Task Force – to combat illicit financing, including the funding of terrorism.Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
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Though police and prosecutors in at least two counties have joined forces to aggressively tackle the illicit drug together, few agencies in the rest of the region have made investigating fentanyl deaths a priority, the Star found.Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But in the anarchic area in front of the net, sometimes skill is overrated.Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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Utilities have fought rooftop solar as expensive and anarchic.Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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He was indicted in July and previously faced two counts of felonious assault and four counts of endangering children.Bailey Richards, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024
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Charles Edmonson, 64, pleaded guilty Friday in Clermont County Common Pleas Court to kidnapping, felonious assault and three counts of child endangering.Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Isabel almost immediately develops an intense dislike for Eva, a disorderly presence who disrupts the strictly regimented life Isabel has built for herself.Chloe Schama, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024
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But there were no disorderly queues among clubs aiming to secure Wan-Bissaka’s signature.Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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