lawless
gb/lˈɔləs/ us/lˈɔləs/
B2
English
~ 9200
törvény és rend nélküli, anarchikus, törvényt semmibe vevő, törvényszegő
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a lawless [place]/[area]/[situation]/[period]
During the civil war, the countryside became a lawless wasteland controlled by armed groups.
A polgárháború alatt a vidék fegyveres csoportok által uralt, törvény és rend nélküli pusztasággá vált.
The film shows a lawless frontier town where sheriffs rarely last more than a week.
A film egy olyan törvény és rend nélküli határvárost mutat be, ahol a serifek ritkán maradnak meg egy hétnél tovább.
Without a functioning police force, the city drifted toward a lawless state.
Pirates once ruled these lawless seas, attacking any ship they found.
The collapse of the regime left parts of the country effectively lawless.
Learner examples
The village was lawless after the police left.
A rendőrség távozása után a faluban megszűnt a törvény és a rend.
People were afraid to go out at night because the streets were lawless.
Az emberek féltek éjjel kimenni, mert az utcákon nem volt rend.
In that lawless border area, many crimes were never reported.
The movie is about a lawless town in the Wild West.
Children could not play outside in the lawless neighborhood.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "lawless" when they only mean "illegal" for a single action. "Lawless" usually describes a place, situation, or period where law and order in general are weak or absent, while "illegal" describes one specific act that is against the law.
Meaning
Having no law or order
Collocations
lawless society
|lawless frontier
|lawless region
|lawless streets
|lawless area
|lawless times
Synonyms
unpoliced (Focuses on the lack of active police presence rather than the general absence of law and order.)
|
anarchic (Suggests a complete lack of government or control, sometimes broader than strictly legal order.)
Antonyms
orderly (Emphasizes that rules are followed and public order is maintained.)
|
lawful (Stresses that actions or conditions are in accordance with the law and legal structures work.)
Themes
crime
|society
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describing a place or time where the police or the government do not really control crime or keep order.
Not controlled or regulated by laws or effective law enforcement; lacking law and order.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a lawless [person]/[gang]/[crowd]/[act]/[behavior]
The government promised to crack down on the lawless gangs controlling the ports.
A kormány megígérte, hogy keményen fellép a kikötőket ellenőrző, törvényt semmibe vevő bandák ellen.
He grew up running with a lawless crowd that stole cars for fun.
Olyan törvényt semmibe vevő társaságban nőtt fel, amelyik szórakozásból autókat lopott.
The protest began peacefully but turned lawless when a small group started looting shops.
A few lawless individuals can damage the reputation of an entire community.
Their lawless behavior on the road put many lives at risk.
Learner examples
The police arrested the lawless gang.
A rendőrség letartóztatta a törvényt semmibe vevő bandát.
A few lawless boys broke all the windows.
Néhány törvényszegő fiú betörte az összes ablakot.
The coach will not accept lawless behavior on the team.
Lawless fans started fights after the game.
Some drivers are completely lawless on the highway.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "lawless" with "careless" or "rude." "Lawless" is specifically about breaking or ignoring the law, not just having bad manners or not paying attention.
Meaning
Not obeying the law
Collocations
lawless youth
|lawless behavior
|lawless mob
|lawless gang
|lawless elements
Synonyms
criminal (Directly states that someone breaks the law; more legal and serious in tone.)
|
outlaw (Often suggests a romantic or rebellious image of someone living outside the law.)
Antonyms
law-abiding (Highlights that a person carefully follows the law and respects legal rules.)
|
respectable (Adds a social judgment of being proper and trusted, not just legally obedient.)
Themes
crime
|character
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describing a person, group, or behavior that often does things that are against the law.
Habitually breaking or ignoring the law; acting without regard for legal rules or limits.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lawless
IPA
GB/lˈɔləs/
US/lˈɔləs/
Syllables & stress
law - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (law)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: lawless
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.