wrongful

adjective

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

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.
And in the case of wrongful acquittal, such as ours, the same principle should apply. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025 During Connick’s time as district attorney, there were 32 cases of wrongful convictions, 27 of which involved prosecutorial misconduct, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025 Abrego García, a Maryland construction worker, had been released from criminal custody on Friday after months of legal battles stemming from what his lawyers describe as a wrongful deportation to El Salvador earlier this year. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 Advertisement Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation earlier this year has become a flashpoint case for the Administration in its sweeping mass deportation effort. Richard Hall, Time, 25 Aug. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Wrongful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongful. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on wrongful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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