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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawlessness
The lawlessness afoot in Venezuela’s capital city is vibrantly captured in this gripping adaptation of Karina Sainz Borgo’s novel from the filmmaking team behind Bad Hair (Festival 2014).
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
However, using lawlessness, chaos and destruction to make a cultural point will forever remain a hallmark of 21st-century Democrats.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Spring break at Daytona Beach has once again descended into lawlessness.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
We are united in reining in the lawlessness of ICE.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
To control the increasing lawlessness that was occurring in the Torres Strait region and regulate the two commercial marine industries, the colonial government of Queensland officially annexed many of the islands in the Torres Strait in 1872 and the remainder of them in 1879.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Courts have found that true threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
While the president boasts 70%-plus approval ratings, many in Mexico are fed up with the rampant lawlessness.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota, remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception.
—February 25, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
However, using lawlessness, chaos and destruction to make a cultural point will forever remain a hallmark of 21st-century Democrats.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Spring break at Daytona Beach has once again descended into lawlessness.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
We are united in reining in the lawlessness of ICE.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
To control the increasing lawlessness that was occurring in the Torres Strait region and regulate the two commercial marine industries, the colonial government of Queensland officially annexed many of the islands in the Torres Strait in 1872 and the remainder of them in 1879.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Courts have found that true threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
While the president boasts 70%-plus approval ratings, many in Mexico are fed up with the rampant lawlessness.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota, remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception.
—February 25, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
Mabel, in faux-beaver form, rallies the wildlife to fight Mayor Jerry but sows anarchy in doing so.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In the American Colonies, many people saw Williams’ Rhode Island colony as a land of dangerous anarchy.—
Christopher Schelin,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prisoners who are guilty of various violent crimes were not eligible, according to the embassy.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Oz, who earlier this year was criticized after posting a video accusing Armenian crime groups of carrying out widespread fraud, continued Thursday to accuse California and Los Angeles officials of not doing enough to combat fraud.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Durov was arrested in France in 2024 and charged with enabling various forms of criminality on his app.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Protesters held banners decrying criminality and calling for law and order.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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