Lawlessness - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Lawlessness refers to a state of disorder where there is no effective rule of law, leading to chaos or crime. It describes situations where authority is ignored or absent.
Definition:
The absence of laws or disregard for legal authority, leading to disorder and chaos.
Synonyms:
anarchy, disorder, chaos, mayhem
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
order, lawfulness
Common Collocations:
rampant lawlessness, urban lawlessness, political lawlessness
Derivatives:
lawless, lawlessly
Usage Tips:
Use "lawlessness" to describe societal breakdowns where rules are ignored or unenforced.
Common Phrases:
descent into lawlessness, reign of lawlessness, spiral of lawlessness
Etymology:
Derived from "lawless," meaning without laws, from Old English "lagu" (law) + "-less" (without).
Examples:
- 1. The city fell into lawlessness after the government collapsed.
- 2. Lawlessness spread quickly when the police went on strike.
- 3. The film depicts a dystopian future filled with violence and lawlessness.
- 4. Protesters warned that corruption would lead to widespread lawlessness.