unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
Synonyms of unlawfulnext
1
a
: not lawful : illegal
unlawful actions
b
: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law
an unlawful possessor
2
: not morally right or conventional
unlawfully
ˌən-ˈlȯ-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
adverb
unlawfulness
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl-nəs How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
noun

Synonyms of unlawful

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Examples of unlawful in a Sentence

The sale of alcohol to minors is unlawful. it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Runa’s incarceration – and death months after her release – is now the subject of a lawsuit brought by her mother against Hyogo Prefectural Police alleging unlawful arrest and detention. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 Last month, the seizure was ruled unlawful by the California Supreme Court. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 The jury recommended for both defendants 15 years in prison for each count of second-degree murder, 10 years in prison for each count of armed criminal action and 15 years in prison for unlawful use of a weapon. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 George Gebran pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of unlawful discharge of a firearm. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlawful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unlawful was in the 14th century

Rhymes for unlawful

See All Rhymes for unlawful

Browse Nearby Words

unlawed
unlawful
unlawfully
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unlawful

adjective
un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
unlawfully
-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
adverb
unlawfulness
-fəl-nəs How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

unlawful

adjective
un·​law·​ful
1
: not lawful : not authorized or justified by law
2
: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law
an unlawful possessor
unlawfully adverb
unlawfulness noun
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