lawlessness
Americannoun
-
the quality or condition of being without regard for the law; behavior that is contrary to or shows indifference to the law.
Unfortunately, a lot of confusion, lawlessness, stupidity, and even death surrounds alcohol use in college settings.
-
the state or condition of being without law or law enforcement to provide control or restraint.
For several months, the emerging nation looked as if it would slip into lawlessness and civil war.
Etymology
Origin of lawlessness
First recorded in 1585–95; lawless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lawlessness has soared across Ecuador since the coronavirus pandemic, something outgoing President Guillermo Lasso blames on disputes related to drug trafficking and common crime.
From Reuters • Sep. 8, 2023
Lawlessness spread over subsequent nights to 22 out of London's 33 boroughs, from Ealing in the west and Croydon in the south.
From BBC • Aug. 5, 2021
Lawlessness has long been the rule in Honduras.
From Slate • Jul. 25, 2014
Lawlessness subjects such characters to opportunism, and all in all allows for them to create unique worldviews, however ridiculous.
From Salon • Dec. 8, 2012
Lawlessness was everywhere and it was not strange that the residents of Hannibal did not think Sam Clemens amounted to much and prophesied that he would 217 never grow up to follow a respectable calling.
From Modern Americans A Biographical School Reader for the Upper Grades by Sanford, Chester Milton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
