as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
some sociologists specialize in studying the lawbreaking elements of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
even something as simple as littering is considered an example of lawbreaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criminality
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state
an outbreak of lawbreaking plagued the city in the months following the end of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawbreaking
Adjective
-
Those interactions with the criminal justice system cast long financial shadows.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025 -
The cases remain in the initial stages of investigation, with no certainty that any criminal charges will be pursued.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Release date: Friday, June 20 Cast: Guy Pearce, Cosmo Jarvis, Vincent Miller, Toby Wallace Director-screenwriter: Charles Williams 1 hour 43 minutes Inside is not the usual story of damnation or redemption, of the unbreakable cycles of crime or even the virtues of rehabilitation, like Sing Sing.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
-
Baraka, whose national profile soared after his arrest at an ICE facility in Newark, has campaigned on a record of lower crime in the city and a more progressive governing agenda, paid for by a higher corporate tax.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
The wide availability of weapons, the use of drugs, and the developing criminal justice system all contribute to the high level of criminality in the country.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
-
The movie exploited the loosening codes of the time, to make for a more frank depiction of urban criminality.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
From the start, Handy argues, the on-screen adventures in teen movies have been targeted to a double audience of rebellious teens and anxious adults.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
-
In addition to provoking rebellious and impulsive actions, this unpredictable synergy can abruptly derail plans.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 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
Noun
-
Those participating in races can receive up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail on the first violation, up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for the second violation, and up to a $1,000 fine and/or and up to six months in jail for a third.—
Alecia Taylor,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2025
-
Those security guards, who were not in uniform—a violation of the state code—were accompanied by the county sheriff, a Republican named Bob Norris.—
Jessica Pishko,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
That included Vásquez's organization, which was about to receive a four-year, $2.5 million grant to continue fighting illicit activity that affects Indigenous people in the region.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
-
What began as a legal dispute over colonial maps is now unfolding in riverside ambushes, illicit checkpoints and territorial extortion.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Facing his inquisitors Ono dutifully confessed to, and publicly atoned for, all his past sins: His support of DEI, academic freedom, the First Amendment and more.—
Ron Cunningham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
-
Will RuPaul's Drag Race justice finally be done to forgive the sins of the drag queens who committed the Great Betrayal of Nicole Paige Brooks From Atlanta, Ga.?—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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