1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
the lawless rioters were destroying everything in sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of lawless
In Congress, Democrats should bring impeachment articles against lawless Trump Cabinet members, as well as against the dictator-in-chief himself.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
The danger of a Supreme Court and Justice Department that sets aside the rule of law for one lawless man.
—arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
People are suffering under this new order and the Trump administration's lawless actions will not go unchallenged.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
The Department of Homeland Security's lawless decision to arrest him solely because of his peaceful anti-genocide activism represents a blatant attack on the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech, immigration laws, and the very humanity of Palestinians.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
The danger of a Supreme Court and Justice Department that sets aside the rule of law for one lawless man.
—arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
People are suffering under this new order and the Trump administration's lawless actions will not go unchallenged.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
The Department of Homeland Security's lawless decision to arrest him solely because of his peaceful anti-genocide activism represents a blatant attack on the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech, immigration laws, and the very humanity of Palestinians.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawless
Adjective
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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
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Jorge Saldana-Gonzalez, 44, was arrested on a murder charge following the Saturday, April 5, shooting at Sandra’s Bar, on Alamo’s east side, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hidalgo County.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Federal workers, migrants and transgender troops are among the groups arguing that Trump’s policies are unlawful and will cause irreversible harm if not blocked.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
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In January, a federal appeals court declared DACA unlawful, but kept the policy in place.—
Nidia Cavazos,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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It's been found in illicit drug supplies nationwide for decades.—
Meira Gebel,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The narrative is equally layered, with a thriller’s bones, a satire’s glare, and a comeuppance story’s anarchic spirit.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Fragmented on normal days, the web bordered on anarchic Monday.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His first arrest, Oct. 24, 1918, was for felonious assault.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
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Jones is charged with second-degree felonious assault and domestic violence to a household member, Esqueda is charged with second-degree felonious assault and Cessna is charged with second-degree domestic violence.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Officers locked disorderly veterans like these in the cells on the asylum’s top story.—
Made by History,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
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Make no mistake, the failure to control the border, and the stress on local communities forced to cope with a disorderly influx of people, is lamentable and needs to be fixed.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
10 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Lawless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawless. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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