1
as in anarchy
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority
the western frontier was notorious for its lawlessness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crime
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state
lawlessness in the city had reached an unconscionable and intolerable level
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawlessness
Noun
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To sustain the campaign’s military achievements for the long term and prevent secured areas from falling into Hamas’s hands, anarchy or insurgency, the plan assumed that an alternative governance structure to Hamas would emerge in areas where the organization was defeated.—
Assaf Orion,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025 -
Hulls acknowledges the parallels with her experience covering an event like CHOP, which is now described in the consensus discourse as an event where Seattle descended into chaos and anarchy, rather than a demonstration of solidarity around social justice.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Grimes County Sheriff's Office What To Know Police in Grimes County, Texas, are still searching for Mathis, who was last seen on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Mathis was arrested on January 2 accused of multiple crimes in Victoria and Grimes counties.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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Since the teen didn't have a criminal record, the state Department of Juvenile Services characterized the offenses as lower-level crimes and allowed him to be released, Hamill said.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The movie exploited the loosening codes of the time, to make for a more frank depiction of urban criminality.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
31 May 2025
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In the defense’s opener, Geragos said the money was offered to shield bad publicity, not evidence of criminality.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Lawlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawlessness. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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