unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 
1
: not lawful : illegal
2
: not morally right or conventional
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
That man, Jermain Hall, has since been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop or detention.
—
Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
So far, 12 defendants have been convicted in the ongoing corruption investigation into unlawful towing referrals for kickback payments.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
The former quarterback initially faced three misdemeanor charges — battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — and was arrested at an area hospital where he was being treated for stab wounds.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Sanchez was initially charged with battery with injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a vehicle following his arrest in Indianapolis on Saturday, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office said.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
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.
Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
So far, 12 defendants have been convicted in the ongoing corruption investigation into unlawful towing referrals for kickback payments.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
The former quarterback initially faced three misdemeanor charges — battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — and was arrested at an area hospital where he was being treated for stab wounds.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Sanchez was initially charged with battery with injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a vehicle following his arrest in Indianapolis on Saturday, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office said.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share