lawless

[ law-lis ]

/ ˈlɔ lɪs /

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See synonyms for: lawless / lawlessness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

contrary to or without regard for the law: lawless violence.

being without law; uncontrolled by a law; unbridled; unruly; unrestrained: lawless passion.

illegal: bootleggers' lawless activity.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

their

there

they're

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of lawless

First recorded in 1150–1200, lawless is from the Middle English word laweles.See law¹, -less

OTHER WORDS FROM lawless

law·less·ly, adverblaw·less·ness, noun

Words nearby lawless

lawgiver, law-hand, lawin, lawing, lawks, lawless, Law Lords, lawmaker, lawman, law merchant, lawn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for lawless

More than relationships, or friendships, or in-app purchases, Wolfe Herd is selling the feeling of power to the powerless, a sense of order in an online universe that so frequently seems lawless.
How Whitney Wolfe Herd Turned a Vision of a Better Internet Into a Billion-Dollar Brand|Charlotte Alter/Austin|March 19, 2021|Time
The lawless law enforcement in eastern Ukraine exists somewhere between Soviet rule and vigilante justice.
The Corrupt Cops of Rebel-Held East Ukraine|Kristina Jovanovski|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It devolved from a very poor neighborhood to a very lawless one,” says Randall, who is refreshingly unsentimental.
De Robertis, a New York Great, Bids Farewell|Lizzie Crocker|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the law passes in Denmark, only Finland, Hungary and Sweden will remain lawless when it comes to Lassie.
Denmark’s Bestiality Problem: It’s Legal|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The horrific case of an abandoned baby with Down syndrome has exposed the lawless world of international surrogacy.
The Wild, Wild West of Thai Surrogacy|Emily Shire|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The methamphetamine trade has made Wyoming revert to the lawless anarchy of the Old West,” he remarked pungently.
The Myths of Matthew Shepard’s Infamous Death|Stephen Jimenez|September 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Let us remember that "if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom!"
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
But before the Revolution our ancestors had known a standing army only as an instrument of lawless power.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
He urged upon the Assembly the adoption of immediate and energetic measures to arrest these execrable deeds of lawless violence.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Still, the influence of Roland and his wife was feared by those who were directing the terrible enginery of lawless violence.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Even the lawless classes of society generally shrink from blood.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for lawless

lawless

/ (ˈlɔːlɪs) /

adjective

without law

disobedient to the law

contrary to or heedless of the law

uncontrolled; unbridledlawless rage

Derived forms of lawless

lawlessly, adverblawlessness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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lawless

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of lawless

OTHER WORDS FROM lawless

Words nearby lawless

Example sentences from the Web for lawless

British Dictionary definitions for lawless

adjective

Derived forms of lawless

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

lawless

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of lawless

OTHER WORDS FROM lawless

Words nearby lawless

Words related to lawless

Example sentences from the Web for lawless

British Dictionary definitions for lawless

adjective

Derived forms of lawless