scofflaw Definition
a person who habitually flouts or violates the law, especially one who fails to pay fines owed.
Using scofflaw: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "scofflaw" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The city is cracking down on scofflaws who don't pay their parking tickets.
Example
He was labeled a scofflaw after repeatedly driving without a license.
Example
The company was fined for being a scofflaw and violating environmental regulations.
scofflaw Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for scofflaw
- outlaw
- criminal
- lawbreaker
- offender
- delinquent
Phrases with scofflaw
a cocktail made with bourbon, lemon juice, and grenadine, created during the Prohibition era in the United States
Example
The bartender recommended the scofflaw cocktail, which was both sweet and strong.
a parking ticket issued to a vehicle parked illegally in a spot designated for bicycles
Example
He received a scofflaw ticket after parking his car in a bike lane.
a traffic enforcement technique where police officers use a parked car to catch drivers who ignore traffic laws
Example
The police set up a scofflaw trap to catch drivers who were speeding through the residential area.
Origins of scofflaw
from 'scoff' (to mock or ridicule) + 'law'
Summary: scofflaw in Brief
'Scofflaw' [skawf-law] refers to a person who habitually violates the law, particularly by failing to pay fines. It can be used to describe someone who repeatedly drives without a license or parks illegally. The term also extends to phrases like 'scofflaw cocktail,' a Prohibition-era drink, and 'scofflaw trap,' a traffic enforcement technique.
