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

As a member of the Kennedy Center Board, Congresswoman Beatty is entitled to have a say in the President’s unlawful efforts to close and potentially demolish it. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026

Balat and Kayumi face up to life in prison on charges that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist group, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices. —Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026

Yunior Benavides, 49, is charged with unlawful reentry, and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to federal authorities. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026

The unlawful taking of items from within a building which is either open to the general public or to which the offender has legal access. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026

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