unlawful

1 of 2

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

unlawfulness

2 of 2

noun

un·​law·​ful·​ness

: the quality or state of being unlawful

Synonyms of unlawful

Adjective

• illegal
• illicit
• criminal

Examples of unlawful in a Sentence

Adjective

The sale of alcohol to minors is unlawful.

it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Antwon Shirley, 43, faces charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, first-degree burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to a Jackson County charging document. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Mohit will face charges in Broward County of scheme to defraud, grand theft on a person 65-years-old or older and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

On July 23, Aaron White of Charleroi was arrested on multiple felony charges, including possession of child pornography and unlawful contact with a minor. — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

The next day, the Pac-12 filed a declaratory action in federal court, arguing that the poaching penalties constituted an unlawful restraint on competition. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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