# lawlessness

/ˈɫɔɫəsnəs/ (US) · /lˈɔːləsnəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lawlessness
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a state where there is no law or order. It means people do not follow rules and there is no police to stop them.

For teachers: the absence of legal order or the lack of enforcement of laws. Often describes a state of anarchy or a breakdown in social discipline.

## Examples

- The city suffered from lawlessness after the government collapsed.
- The sudden lawlessness in the border region made it dangerous for any traveler to pass through without a guide.
- Historians often debate whether the lawlessness of the frontier was a necessary catalyst for innovation or a chaotic period that hindered long-term economic stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.