Definitions

lawless

[law-lis] / ˈlɔ lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

reckless, ungoverned

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anarchic barbarous chaotic turbulent unruly violent

WEAK

anarchical anarchistic bad contumacious criminal despotic disobedient disordered disorderly evil fierce heterodox infringing insubordinate insurgent mutinous nihilistic noncompliant nonconformist piratical rebellious recusant revolutionary riotous savage seditious tempestuous terrorizing traitorous tyrannous uncivilized uncultivated unorthodox unpeaceful unrestrained untamed warlike wild

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm mild moderate obedient

WEAK

governed lawful legal legitimate licit proper rightful valid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Regina Lawless Toney left a six-figure job heading DEI efforts at Instagram in 2023 to start a consulting and coaching business for Black professional women.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Between 2021 and 2022, a company he had founded, Schloss Roxburghe Holdings, acquired about £5m of freeholds on buildings that were originally owned by property developer Elliot Lawless before his companies went into administration.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Saugus 10, San Marcos 8: JD Lawless and Kaden Haag each had two hits for Saugus.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2025

That uncertainty also extends to her and the president's record, which Lawless said they have "not been able to communicate adequately to the American people."

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

People love to ask me what it’s like to have Lawless as my dad.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing lawless

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