adj

lawless

LAW-luhs

adj

Having no laws or effective government controlling it.

"The frontier town was virtually lawless in its early years."

"Parts of the region became lawless during the civil war."

Ignoring or violating the law; unruly and out of control.

"The mob's lawless behaviour left several shops wrecked."

How to Use Lawless

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWithout law, or refusing to obey it.

Common pairings

a lawless society lawless behaviour

more lawless comparative, Lawlesses plural, most lawless superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The frontier town was virtually _____ in its early years.

From Middle English laweles — "law" plus the negating suffix "-less."

flawless