unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 

1

a

: not lawful : illegal

unlawful actions

b

: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law

an unlawful possessor

2

: not morally right or conventional

unlawfully

ˌən-ˈlȯ-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

unlawfulness

ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unlawful

• illegal
• illicit
• criminal

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 suit asked a federal judge in Tallahassee to declare DeSantis' order unlawful and unconstitutional and prevent it from being enforced. —CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Two charges, one for enhanced use of a deadly weapon and one for unlawful possession of a firearm, were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025

As part of a plea agreement, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful use of a weapon are to be dismissed after sentencing, according to court documents. —Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025

Varela's bond is set at $200,000 for the tampering with evidence charge, $40,000 for the assault against a family member charge, and $5,000 for the unlawful restraint charge. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unlawful

• awful
• lawful
• offal
• waffle

Kids Definition

unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 

ˈən-

: not lawful : being against the law : illegal

unlawfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

unlawfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful

1

: not lawful : not authorized or justified by law

2

: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law

an unlawful possessor

unlawfully adverb

unlawfulness noun