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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawlessness¹

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

Example Sentences

It isn’t able to hold territory, but it is contributing to a sense of lawlessness that’s adding to the stress on the new state.

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There have been a number of hopeful signs that the City by the Bay has begun to turn the page on its recent era of progressive lawlessness, but urban revival takes time.

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The execution - which BBC Verify geolocated to a junction in central Gaza City - follows Hamas's pledge to crush "lawlessness" in the Strip.

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Even to the many who oppose Hamas, that is a welcome alternative to lawlessness.

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While Hamas maintains that its fighters are working to "restore security" and "eliminate lawlessness," many fear the group is using the chaos to settle scores with rivals and silence critics.

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Related Words

• chaos 
• confusion 
• disorder 
• terrorism