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
Relevance
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
The Department of Homeland Security's lawless decision to arrest him solely because of his peaceful anti-genocide activism represents a blatant attack on the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech, immigration laws, and the very humanity of Palestinians.
—
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
What's harder for the senators to see is how consumers will be protected in such a seemingly lawless realm.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Mohamad, a displaced father in Gaza City, described a lawless society where Hamas fighters only appear when releasing hostages or suppressing dissent.
—Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
But the spirit of mob procedure seemed to have fastened itself upon the lawless classes, and the grim process that at first was invoked to declare justice was made the excuse to wreak vengeance and cover crime.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
What's harder for the senators to see is how consumers will be protected in such a seemingly lawless realm.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Mohamad, a displaced father in Gaza City, described a lawless society where Hamas fighters only appear when releasing hostages or suppressing dissent.
—Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
But the spirit of mob procedure seemed to have fastened itself upon the lawless classes, and the grim process that at first was invoked to declare justice was made the excuse to wreak vengeance and cover crime.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
-
The criminal search warrant centered on Old McDonald's Farm, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to NPR.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Officers have recently been rejecting noncitizens whose posts suggested criticism of the United States or Israel, but not necessarily criminal activity.—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
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
Adjective
-
The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Aquarius: Justin Suarez Socially conscious and true fashionista, Justin’s creativity and free spirit very much align with Aquarius’ rebellious nature and sparkling individuality.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
It’s been 150 years since the Impressionists shocked Paris with their rebellious Société Anonyme show.—
Nazanin Lankarani,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature of what is considered illicit prompts (i.e., that you aren’t supposed to use), see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Meanwhile, smugglers and bad actors are perpetually advancing their methods for disguising illicit goods, unsafe products and narcotics.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Not that the ostensibly placid 1950s that preceded the anarchic ’60s were nirvana in New York’s Theater District.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Its table of contents alone is more happily anarchic than most books in their entireties.—
Dwight Garner,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Darnell Jones is also charged with felonious assault and abduction, according to court records.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Marybeth, still uncomfortable with the arrangement between her department and the felonious accountant, does so reluctantly.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) barred Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) from further participation in a disorderly Oversight meeting after the latter repeatedly hurled insults about President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Officers locked disorderly veterans like these in the cells on the asylum’s top story.—
Made by History,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share