1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawless
Tren de Aragua originated more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua.
—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
By the end of that series, Kim had forsaken her lawless life in Albuquerque and moved to a Florida suburb, giving up her legal career to work in peace at a sprinkler company.
—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
9 June 2026
That would save countless American lives, not to mention billions of taxpayer dollars squandered on welfare for these lawless invaders.
—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Since the start, the strikes have been a lawless operation.
—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
By the end of that series, Kim had forsaken her lawless life in Albuquerque and moved to a Florida suburb, giving up her legal career to work in peace at a sprinkler company.
—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
9 June 2026
That would save countless American lives, not to mention billions of taxpayer dollars squandered on welfare for these lawless invaders.
—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Since the start, the strikes have been a lawless operation.
—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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Guo was convicted of nine of 12 criminal charges during a seven-week trial that prosecutors said showcased his deception of thousands of investors in bogus deals that enabled Guo’s lavish lifestyle.
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In May 2025, a Placer County criminal grand jury indicted both men.
Adjective
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Jazzlyn Johnson, a spokesperson for Johnson, said in an email that Sanchez-Munoz had been charged with one count of second-degree felony murder, five counts of unlawful use of a weapon and five counts of armed criminal action.
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The policies Goode violated include unlawful harassment discrimination policy, professional conduct, code of conduct and mobile data access.
Adjective
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For seven seasons, a hodgepodge crew mixing Starfleet and the rebellious Maquis put aside their differences after they got zapped 70,000 lightyears away from Earth, deep into the uncharted Delta Quadrant.
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This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
Adjective
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As a result, the bill would leave parts of the crypto ecosystem vulnerable to exploitation by terrorists, sanctions evaders, fraudsters, and other illicit actors under the guise of technological neutrality.
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Though the film ends with Lori and John getting married (despite Ted's various illicit shenanigans), Ted 2 reveals that the pair have divorced.
Adjective
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The whole thing is an anarchic delirium reminiscent of the kind experienced by Bart and Milhouse after drinking an all-syrup Super Squishee; thankfully, the comedown is quick and relatively painless.
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The story links the creatures’ anarchic physical comedy to silent-era pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton.
Adjective
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Police were serving a search warrant from a felonious assault case.
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In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of murder, felonious assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, drug possession, and criminal tools possession (psilocybin mushrooms and a scale were found at the crime scene).
Adjective
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Their charges reportedly include assaulting a police officer, disorderly behavior in a police station, disorderly behavior, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm and two counts of damage and obstruction.
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She was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center and was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, breach of peace/disorderly intoxication.
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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