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.

Neatly groomed and driven by anger about the treatment of his Nasa minority, Gomez is hunting for votes in a rebel‑controlled region of Colombia's lawless southwest.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

This instability created lawless zones such as the “neutral ground” of Bergen County in northeast New Jersey and the Pine Barrens in the south, where hardened “banditti” flourished.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

The LDS Church released a statement condemning the violence and lawless behavior.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

He called it "incomprehensible" that cycling is "literally lawless" under an "old-fashioned law" not designed for modern road usage.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025

The racing was lawless and wild and the Americans loved it.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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