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
-
The criminal search warrant centered on Old McDonald's Farm, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to NPR.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2025 -
Officers have recently been rejecting noncitizens whose posts suggested criticism of the United States or Israel, but not necessarily criminal activity.—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station watch commander informed the Times no crime had taken place at the residence.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Tom Richard Santos with John of Sherwood: After the death of Robin Hood, a grieving Little John returns to his ancestral Celtic tribe to protect it from the corrupt Church bent on stealing its land — and to confront the dark truth of his crimes as a Merry Man.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Regarding the migrants sent to Guantánamo Bay, the Trump Administration has not provided sufficient proof of their status and criminality.—
Made by History,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The medical examiner’s office would automatically do an autopsy if foul play or criminality was suspected, but there is none, so the office did not overrule the family’s decision.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic and rebellious touch that the boots bring.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Noun
-
For example, in February, a coalition of 14 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit questioning DOGE's authority to restructure or dissolve federal agencies without congressional approval, alleging violations of the Appointments Clause.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
-
That came after Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson was given a pitch-clock violation that led to a walk for the Royals’ Jonathan India.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature of what is considered illicit prompts (i.e., that you aren’t supposed to use), see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Meanwhile, smugglers and bad actors are perpetually advancing their methods for disguising illicit goods, unsafe products and narcotics.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Landing in the bottom are Henry (for the sin of a spongy scallion pancake), Paula (for texture issues), and Bailey (for the aforementioned Pile of Stuff).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2025
-
But the occasional poach is perhaps no great sin, more akin to driving over the speed limit than, say, starting a forest fire.—
Mark Sundeen,
Outside Online,
19 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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