unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 
1
: not lawful : illegal
2
: not morally right or conventional
Synonyms
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 aim was to see how institutions — both public and private — would react to a president giving unlawful or unethical orders.
—
Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
He was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
There is nothing sudden or unexpected about unlawful immigration at the southern border.
—Elizabeth Goitein, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Prince Harry reached a settlement with Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloids over accusations of unlawful information gathering.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlawful 
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Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
He was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
There is nothing sudden or unexpected about unlawful immigration at the southern border.
—Elizabeth Goitein, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Prince Harry reached a settlement with Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloids over accusations of unlawful information gathering.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlawful
Dictionary Entries Near unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
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