lawless

[ law-lis ]

adjective

1. contrary to or without regard for the law:

   lawless violence.

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

   lawless passion.

3. illegal:

   bootleggers' lawless activity.

lawless

/ ˈlɔːlɪs /

adjective

1. without law
2. disobedient to the law
3. contrary to or heedless of the law
4. uncontrolled; unbridled

   lawless rage

Derived Forms

• ˈlawlessly, adverb
• ˈlawlessness, noun

Other Words From

• law·less·ly adverb
• law·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawless¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; from Middle English laweles; law ¹, -less

Example Sentences

Shopkeepers say Edinburgh's Royal Mile has become "lawless" with smash-and-grab thieves stealing thousands of pounds' worth of goods in recent months.

From BBC

Gangs in Haiti have capitalised on the power vacuum and expanded their control over swathes of the country, which has effectively been rendered lawless in places.

From BBC

In 2020, she called him a “lawless” president who wants to be an “authoritarian leader.”

From Los Angeles Times

The report portrayed the unpaid base as an almost lawless entity, describing hostile power struggles with staff and near-total impunity.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ve been in a lawless state,” he said, referring to his childhood in Iran.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anarchic
• barbarous
• chaotic
• turbulent
• unruly
• violent