warrantless

English

Etymology

From warrant +‎ -less.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈwɒɹəntləs/

Adjective

warrantless (not comparable)

1. (of a search, arrest, or the like) Performed without a warrant.
   • 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic, published 2010, page 255:

     Now, at the time, I was also a named plaintiff in a major lawsuit against the National Security Agency and the Department of Justice, petitioning the courts to put a halt to the warrantless wiretapping of American residents and citizens.

2. (rare) Synonym of unwarranted.

Derived terms

• warrantless search