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Lawless: meaning, definitions and examples

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lawless

 

[ ˈlɔːləs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

society

Not governed by or obedient to laws; characterized by a lack of respect for the law.

Synonyms

anarchic, chaotic, criminal, illegal, unlawful

Examples of usage

  • The town had become a lawless place, with crime rates soaring.
  • In the lawless society, corruption was rampant.
  • The lawless behavior of the gang members led to chaos in the city.
  • Lawless regions are often breeding grounds for violence and criminal activity.
  • The lawless nature of the area made it unsafe for residents.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Not controlled by or done according to the law.

Synonyms

disorderly, reckless, uncontrolled, unregulated, unruly

Examples of usage

  • His lawless actions resulted in severe consequences.
  • The lawless behavior of the protesters led to clashes with the police.
  • The company's lawless practices eventually caught up with them.
  • The employee was fired for his lawless conduct at work.
  • Her lawless behavior alienated her from her colleagues.

Translations

Translations of the word "lawless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sem lei

🇮🇳 कानूनविहीन

🇩🇪 gesetzlos

🇮🇩 tanpa hukum

🇺🇦 беззаконний

🇵🇱 bezprawny

🇯🇵 無法の (むほうの)

🇫🇷 sans loi

🇪🇸 sin ley

🇹🇷 kanunsuz

🇰🇷 무법의

🇸🇦 بدون قانون

🇨🇿 bezprávný

🇸🇰 bezprávny

🇨🇳 无法无天 (wúfǎ wútiān)

🇸🇮 brez zakonov

🇮🇸 löglaus

🇰🇿 заңсыз

🇬🇪 უკანონო

🇦🇿 qanunsuz

🇲🇽 sin ley

Etymology

The word 'lawless' originated from the Middle English word 'laweles', which meant 'without law'. The suffix '-less' is used to indicate the absence or lack of something. The concept of lawlessness has been a recurring theme in literature and society, often associated with chaos, anarchy, and rebellion against authority. Throughout history, various cultures and societies have grappled with issues of lawlessness, leading to debates on the importance of laws and order in maintaining a stable and just society.

See also: law, lawbook, lawbreaker, lawbreaking, lawful, lawfully, lawfulness, lawgiver, lawlessness, lawmaker, lawmakers, lawmaking, lawman, laws, lawsuit, lawyer, lawyers, outlaw, unlawful, unlawfully.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,810, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.