wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
Synonyms of wrongfulnext
1
: wrong, unjust
2
a
: having no legal sanction : unlawful
b
: having no legal claim
a wrongful heir
wrongfully
ˈrȯŋ-fə-lē How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
adverb
wrongfulness noun

Synonyms of wrongful

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Examples of wrongful in a Sentence

He is suing his former employer for wrongful termination. charged with wrongful possession of narcotics
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.
The State Department continues to warn Americans against traveling to Russia because of the risk of wrongful detention. — Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 The book traces the women’s histories of abuse, poverty and addiction, raising questions about convictions shaped by inadequate legal defenses and possible wrongful prosecutions. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 The spokesman added that wrongful detention is determined by a variety of factors, including having US citizenship or a connection to the US. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Dateline Canada will premiere with a two-hour special revisiting the wrongful conviction of Robert Baltovich, who was jailed for the murder of then-girlfriend Elizabeth Bain after her disappearance in 1990. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing wrongful

Browse Nearby Words

wrong-foot
wrongful
wrongful abstraction
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Cite this Entry

“Wrongful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongful. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wrongful

adjective
wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
1
: wrong entry 2 sense 1
a wrongful act
2
: unlawful
wrongful possession of another's property
wrongfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
adverb
wrongfulness noun

Legal Definition

wrongful

adjective
wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
1
: constituting a wrong
especially : injurious to the rights of another
a wrongful act or omission
2
: unlawful
remained in wrongful occupation of the property
a wrongful occupant
wrongfully adverb
wrongfulness noun
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