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

Pillich has previously said the unit will be staffed with people from outside her office – which is different than a similar unit that her predecessor, Melissa Powers, announced in 2024 to evaluate wrongful conviction claims. —Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Jan. 2026

Last year, more Americans returned from wrongful detainment than in any of the previous 22 years, Richards said. —Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2026

Based on a New Yorker article by Jennifer Gonnerman, When a Witness Recants interweaves new interviews, deposition videos and TV news reports to examine an infamous case of wrongful conviction. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026

IndyStar's reporting helped overturn a wrongful conviction. —Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026

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