1
as in anarchy
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority
the western frontier was notorious for its lawlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crime
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state
lawlessness in the city had reached an unconscionable and intolerable level
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
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Our government with three separate but co-equal branches exists precisely to prevent this kind of anarchy operating under a thin veneer of fiscal responsibility and shrewd cost-cutting.—
Brian Schatz,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025 -
In the years since, the mask has been adopted as a symbol of anarchy and protest worldwide.—
Laura Kiniry,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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But the government didn’t set them up to commit these crimes.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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