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
Have you ever been publicly disciplined for unethical or unlawful actions in your career?
—
Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Authorities have charged Shaquille Green, who had been in a relationship with Toraya, with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the shooting.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
African telecom companies are often at the mercy of government agencies that order the shutdowns, but pressure from the international community could increase accountability and compel the companies to deny unlawful or arbitrary shutdown orders, the researchers argued.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Oregon is calling for the court to declare Hegseth's order unlawful and to enjoin the federalization of troops, as well as permanently enjoin the defense secretary and the Pentagon from calling upon Oregon National Guard members for federal service.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
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Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Authorities have charged Shaquille Green, who had been in a relationship with Toraya, with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the shooting.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
African telecom companies are often at the mercy of government agencies that order the shutdowns, but pressure from the international community could increase accountability and compel the companies to deny unlawful or arbitrary shutdown orders, the researchers argued.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Oregon is calling for the court to declare Hegseth's order unlawful and to enjoin the federalization of troops, as well as permanently enjoin the defense secretary and the Pentagon from calling upon Oregon National Guard members for federal service.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
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