LAWLESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lawless mean? 

• LAWLESS (adjective)
  The adjective LAWLESS has 3 senses:

1. without law or control

2. lax in enforcing laws

3. disobedient to or defiant of law

  Familiarity information: LAWLESS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LAWLESS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without law or control

Synonyms:

anarchic; anarchical; lawless

Context example:

the system is economically inefficient and politically anarchic

Similar:

uncontrolled (not being under control; out of control)

Derivation:

lawlessness (a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lax in enforcing laws

Synonyms:

lawless; wide-open

Context example:

a wide-open town

Similar:

unlawful (contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law)

Derivation:

lawlessness (a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Disobedient to or defiant of law

Synonyms:

lawless; outlaw

Context example:

lawless bands roaming the plains

Similar:

unlawful (contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law)

Derivation:

lawlessness (illegality as a consequence of unlawful acts; defiance of the law)

 Context examples 

I have never loved, Watson, but if I did and if the woman I loved had met such an end, I might act even as our lawless lion-hunter has done. Who knows?

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The interest you cherish is lawless and unconsecrated.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Mr. Micawber, I must observe, in his adaptation of himself to a new state of society, had acquired a bold buccaneering air, not absolutely lawless, but defensive and prompt.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It was to be decided whether the result of my curiosity and lawless devices would cause the death of two of my fellow beings: one a smiling babe full of innocence and joy, the other far more dreadfully murdered, with every aggravation of infamy that could make the murder memorable in horror.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Before you come to that, said Traddles, a little disconcerted, I am afraid I thought it discreet to omit (not being able to carry everything before me) two points, in making this lawless adjustment—for it's perfectly lawless from beginning to end—of a difficult affair.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)