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
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
What happens if a landlord charges an unlawful late fee?
—
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
London’s High Court ruled that the decision to proscribe the group was unlawful, but has kept the ban in place pending an appeals court ruling due Monday.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Despite the administration's shifting explanations about the future of the slush fund, the court's order ensures that taxpayer dollars cannot be distributed through this unlawful scheme while the courts fully consider the serious constitutional issues at stake.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Two of those adults, Dominic Miller and Terry Young, were initially charged with second-degree murder, but accepted plea deals from Jackson County prosecutors to unlawful use of a weapon.
—Ben Wheeler
june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
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Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
London’s High Court ruled that the decision to proscribe the group was unlawful, but has kept the ban in place pending an appeals court ruling due Monday.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Despite the administration's shifting explanations about the future of the slush fund, the court's order ensures that taxpayer dollars cannot be distributed through this unlawful scheme while the courts fully consider the serious constitutional issues at stake.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Two of those adults, Dominic Miller and Terry Young, were initially charged with second-degree murder, but accepted plea deals from Jackson County prosecutors to unlawful use of a weapon.
—Ben Wheeler
june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
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