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
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.
Recent Examples of lawlessness
Though most residents of the Gulf of Mexico follow these rules, the Gulf of Mexico region has slipped into chaos and lawlessness.
—
Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
In an unprecedented breach of law and decency, the president is threatening to send federal forces to our city, in an unironic attempt to combat nonexistent lawlessness in Chicago.
—Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Reports of lawlessness spread, but Honoré said that people confused looting with survival.
—Reena Advani, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
In recent weeks, hundreds of National Guard members fanned out across the nation’s capital as part of what the White House has framed as an urgent crackdown on crime and lawlessness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
While overall crime rates have fallen from pandemic-era spikes, according to The Washington Post, individual violent incidents have intensified the perception of lawlessness and fueled debate over local control of policing.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Courts have found that threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 June 2025
Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
In an unprecedented breach of law and decency, the president is threatening to send federal forces to our city, in an unironic attempt to combat nonexistent lawlessness in Chicago.
—Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Reports of lawlessness spread, but Honoré said that people confused looting with survival.
—Reena Advani, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
In recent weeks, hundreds of National Guard members fanned out across the nation’s capital as part of what the White House has framed as an urgent crackdown on crime and lawlessness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
While overall crime rates have fallen from pandemic-era spikes, according to The Washington Post, individual violent incidents have intensified the perception of lawlessness and fueled debate over local control of policing.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Courts have found that threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
-
There can only be chaos and anarchy.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
They’re each united by coming-of-age themes including first love and first heartbreak, as well as varying degrees of anarchy, rebellion and mischief.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Federal prosecutors charged a UK teenager with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and other crimes in connection with the network intrusions of 47 US companies that generated more than $115 million in ransomware payments over a three-year span.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In December 2024, Syed’s legal team filed a motion to reduce his life sentence under Maryland's Juvenile Restoration Act, as Syed was not yet 18 at the time of the crime.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In North Carolina, as in other Southern states, newspapers in the Jim Crow era often egregiously exaggerated stories about Black criminality.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Hanson parlayed his small-time criminality into a risky alliance with a powerful Mexican drug lord, intertwining his quest for wealth with the deadly world of organized crime.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share