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View synonyms for lawlessness

lawlessness

[ law-lis-nis ]

noun

  1. 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.

  2. 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.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of lawlessness1

First recorded in 1585–95; lawless ( def ) + -ness ( def )

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Example Sentences

And this is the prevailing attitude that white St. Louis fears the most: an all out riot, anarchy, lawlessness, disorder.

His slaying sums up the lawlessness now gripping the region and the impunity with which separatists can act.

Hundreds of police officers have been deployed to Tacloban to “curb lawlessness”, according to local news.

MK Cohen: the Minister of Defense is responsible for putting a stop to lawlessness.

The kidnapping was a disturbing sign of the lawlessness in Libya that Zidan and his government have been unable to curb.

Lawlessness is b'ilin' around inside o' me, an' I'm goin' to git right out!

It was this spirit of lawlessness which gave rise to the Irish tithe-bill of this session.

The different counties, in fact, from the agitation of the demagogues, presented one scene of growing lawlessness and crime.

From the preamble we can form a good idea of the lawlessness and confusion which prevailed on the borders of Wales at that period.

Well, the papers got out an extra edition with scare-heads about "Outrages" and "High-handed Lawlessness!"

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