Pronunciation: [lˈɔːləsnəs] (IPA) 
The word "lawlessness" is spelled as /lɔːləsnəs/. The first syllable, "law", is pronounced as "lɔː", as in the word "awe". The second syllable, "-less", is pronounced as "ləs", as in the word "less". Finally, the last syllable, "-ness", is pronounced as "nəs", as in the word "ness". The word "lawlessness" means the state or condition of being without law or order, and is often used to refer to chaotic or criminal behavior.
Lawlessness is a term that refers to a state or condition characterized by a lack of respect for or adherence to the established legal framework and principles that govern a society, community, or individual interactions. It denotes a widespread absence or breakdown of law and order, where individuals or groups violate rules, regulations, and laws with impunity, disregarding societal norms and ethical standards.
In a state of lawlessness, there is typically a disregard for the principles of justice, fairness, and equality. This can manifest in various ways, such as acts of violence, crime, smuggling, corruption, or public disorder. Lawlessness often occurs in environments where institutional structures that uphold and enforce the law are weak, nonexistent, compromised, or overwhelmed.
Societies or communities experiencing lawlessness often face significant challenges to maintaining public peace and stability. It can have severe repercussions on various aspects of life, including personal safety, social cohesion, economic development, and overall well-being. Lawlessness can undermine trust in governmental systems, erode public confidence, and hinder progress.
Efforts to combat lawlessness typically involve strengthening legal and judicial institutions, ensuring the rule of law, and promoting good governance. This includes implementing effective policing strategies, improving public awareness and education about legal processes, fostering accountability and transparency, and facilitating access to justice for all members of society. Combating lawlessness is essential for the protection of individual rights, the preservation of social order, and the promotion of a just and equitable society.
The state or quality of being lawless.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "lawlessness" is derived from the combination of two words: "law" and "-less". "Law" comes from the Old English word "lagu" or "lawe", which originated from the Old Norse word "lag", meaning "layer". It is ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*lagan" or "lay", indicating a "fixed set of rules or conditions". "-less" is a suffix denoting the absence or lack of something. When these two elements are combined, "lawlessness" is formed, representing the state or condition of lacking adherence to or violation of laws.
