1.
Lawless actions break the law, especially in a wild and violent way.
The government recognised there were problems in urban areas but these could never be an excuse for ~ behaviour.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ness
Lawlessness is a major problem.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
A ~ place or time is one where people do not respect the law.
...~ inner-city streets plagued by muggings, thefts, assaults and even murder.
ADJ: usu ADJ n