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
Renee Good, mother of three, brutally murdered, Alex Pretti, VA nurse, executed by ICE, shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths.
—
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Caught up in the national fervor that summer, a rowdy group of lawless protesters made their way to Baltimore’s Columbus Piazza.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
As more tents appeared, the encampment became a lawless land.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Great art is by nature lawless.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Caught up in the national fervor that summer, a rowdy group of lawless protesters made their way to Baltimore’s Columbus Piazza.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
As more tents appeared, the encampment became a lawless land.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Great art is by nature lawless.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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While many of the California laws banning the political use of public office are civil statutes, one is a criminal statute.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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More than 58% of them had prior criminal convictions, while nearly 24% more had pending charges.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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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
Adjective
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On June 15, 1215, rebellious nobles compelled King John of England to sign the Magna Carta.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The unlawful increases also affect the basic plan, which saw a 2-euro increase in October 2024.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
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The teacher, Charissa Newport, faces a charge of unlawful restraint of a child younger than 17, according to the Keller Police Department.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the wilds of digital culture, gay panic roams in more anarchic forms.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Stella Marie Markert | Germany Canadian Premiere Four teens living in a Berlin group home have created their own anarchic utopia.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Maxwell told Blanche during the two-day interview there was no client list, no blackmail scheme and, to her knowledge, no high-profile Epstein associates who committed illicit acts in connection with his crimes.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Jordan dissolved its local chapter this year following arrests authorities said were linked to illicit weapons activity.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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People with the disorder usually experience a combination of psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorderly behavior.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cincinnati's Opening Day ended with disorderly behavior and arrests at The Banks and elsewhere.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He was originally charged with one count of murder and two counts each of felonious assault and tampering with evidence, according to court records.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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Caleb Flynn was charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence, but a Miami County court official told Fox News Digital that the prosecutor is considering additional charges.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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