unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 
1
: not lawful : illegal
2
: not morally right or conventional
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
The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.
—
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
Last week, in a possibly unlawful move, the Administration announced that the I.R.S. would share confidential taxpayer information with the Department of Homeland Security, for the express purpose of arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Tuesday’s suit argues that the order, signed by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro instead of the mayor, was unlawful and should be declared invalid by the court.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
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Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
Last week, in a possibly unlawful move, the Administration announced that the I.R.S. would share confidential taxpayer information with the Department of Homeland Security, for the express purpose of arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Tuesday’s suit argues that the order, signed by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro instead of the mayor, was unlawful and should be declared invalid by the court.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
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