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lawless zones

[ˈlɔːləs zoʊnz]
nounpl: lawless zones
zonas sem lei
1. Areas or regions where law and order are not enforced or do not exist, characterized by absence of government control and prevalence of crime
The city's poorest neighborhoods have become lawless zones where gang violence runs rampant.
Os bairros mais pobres da cidade se tornaram zonas sem lei onde a violência das gangues é desenfreada.
2. Territories in conflict regions or failed states where governmental authority is absent
International peacekeeping forces were deployed to the lawless zones to restore order.
Forças de manutenção da paz internacionais foram deslocadas para as zonas sem lei para restaurar a ordem.
NYC Slang
no-go zones / war zones
Synonyms
no-go zonesungoverned territoriesanarchic regionscrime-ridden areasuncontrolled territories
Antonyms
well-governed areasorderly regionssafe zonessecured territoriesrule-of-law jurisdictions

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
zonas sem lei
Most common and formal usage
Rio de Janeiro
territórios dominados / áreas dominadas
Often refers to favela territories controlled by drug trafficking organizations
São Paulo
zonas controladas pelo crime
Emphasizes criminal control rather than merely absent law
Portugal
zonas de anarquia / territórios ingovernáveis
More formal and less frequently used in everyday speech

Related Idioms & Phrases

where the law does not reach
beyond the reach of law
rule by the gun
every man for himself
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