wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: wrong, unjust

2

a

: having no legal sanction : unlawful

b

: having no legal claim

a wrongful heir

wrongfully

ˈrȯŋ-fə-lē 

adverb

wrongfulness noun

Synonyms of wrongful

• unlawful
• illegal
• criminal
• illicit
• felonious

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

The families of two women killed in the November 4 crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville have filed wrongful-death lawsuits alleging that the aircraft was unsafe to fly and that its operators and manufacturers failed to prevent a catastrophic mechanical failure moments after takeoff. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

His family hired attorney Keith Hampton, who has a history of fighting wrongful convictions. —Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

Fitzgerald filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university, which was settled in August. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

According to the Innocence Project, at least 39 wrongful convictions and indictments across the United States have been attributed to the forensic techniques used in Duncan’s case. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wrongful

• wrongful birth
• wrongful death

Kids Definition

wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: wrong entry 2 sense 1

a wrongful act

2

: unlawful

wrongful possession of another's property

wrongfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

wrongfulness noun

Legal Definition

wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

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