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
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
But his comix are best understood as a bottom-up effort to return a neutered art form—one that afforded him untrammeled fantasy as a kid—to a place of illegitimacy and anarchy, shame and desire, surplus and oblivion.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harper's Magazine,
3 Mar. 2025 -
The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty and terror.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In other words, no matter how heinous the crime (including murder), a defendant could come into court and ask to get out of prison.—
Haven Shoemaker,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Gus Van Sant’s upcoming crime feature Dead Man’s Wire and Dustin Hoffman drama The Revisionist nabbed incentives to shoot in the locale.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The State Department also utilizes the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a private partner, that contributes local perspectives on criminality and helps the government make travel advisory decisions.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
Fox News,
17 Mar. 2025
-
According to investigators from Canada and the U.S., there is no sign of criminality in the case, but the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey’s disappearance and death remain unknown.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share