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.

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use lawless in a sentence

“We will spare no effort to bring to justice all those who committed lawless and violent acts of any kind, including against members of the media,” Sherwin said.
Federal prosecutors investigate threats, assaults on journalists covering U.S. Capitol riot|Keith L. Alexander|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
In his First Amendment class, the younger Raskin was studying the “incitement to imminent lawless action,” which Raskin described as “the line where speech ends and conduct begins.”
He buried his son a week ago. Now Jamie Raskin is helping lead the impeachment charge.|Meagan Flynn, Erin Cox|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
He was depicting the border region and Mexico as lawless, a threat, danger.
Border Report: Gloria Brings in a Cross-Border Heavy-Hitter|Maya Srikrishnan|January 11, 2021|Voice of San Diego
I sincerely thank them for their service and condemn all lawless activity.
Congress members under siege in Capitol tweet their shock and frustration|Danielle Abril|January 6, 2021|Fortune

People who talk of law and order excuse a lawless attack on the constitutional order.
Republicans, it isn’t too late to stand up for the nation|Michael Gerson|December 3, 2020|Washington Post
And this is the prevailing attitude that white St. Louis fears the most: an all out riot, anarchy, lawlessness, disorder.
Ferguson Tensions in Black and White|Seth Ferranti|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His slaying sums up the lawlessness now gripping the region and the impunity with which separatists can act.
'In Cold Blood' in Ukraine|Jamie Dettmer|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hundreds of police officers have been deployed to Tacloban to “curb lawlessness”, according to local news.
Typhoon Haiyan Tacloban Leaders Calls on Rebels to Avoid Armed Violence|The Telegraph|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
MK Cohen: the Minister of Defense is responsible for putting a stop to lawlessness.
Violent Hebron Outpost Expands At 'Phenomenal' Rate|Orly Halpern|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The kidnapping was a disturbing sign of the lawlessness in Libya that Zidan and his government have been unable to curb.
Libyan P.M. Kidnapped in Retaliation for U.S. Raid|Jamie Dettmer|October 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Lawlessness is b'ilin' around inside o' me, an' I'm goin' to git right out!
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
It was this spirit of lawlessness which gave rise to the Irish tithe-bill of this session.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
The different counties, in fact, from the agitation of the demagogues, presented one scene of growing lawlessness and crime.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
From the preamble we can form a good idea of the lawlessness and confusion which prevailed on the borders of Wales at that period.
The Influence and Development of English Gilds|Francis Aiden Hibbert
Well, the papers got out an extra edition with scare-heads about "Outrages" and "High-handed Lawlessness!"
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White

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

lawless

Origin of lawless

OTHER WORDS FROM lawless

Words related to lawless

How to use lawless in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lawless

Derived forms of lawless