wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: wrong, unjust

2

a

: having no legal sanction : unlawful

b

: having no legal claim

a wrongful heir

wrongfully

ˈrȯŋ-fə-lē 

adverb

wrongfulness noun

Synonyms

• criminal
• felonious
• illegal
• illegitimate
• illicit
• lawless
• unlawful

Examples of wrongful in a Sentence

He is suing his former employer for wrongful termination.

charged with wrongful possession of narcotics

Recent Examples on the Web

The suit accuses Goth of battery and A24, Goth and West of wrongful termination. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 10 July 2024

The more recent policy violations, since 2015, were for alleged rudeness or wrongful detention. —Violet Ikonomova, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2024

For those states that permit you to get compensation for wrongful imprisonment, you often are required to show that the state committed some kind of constitutional misconduct. —Suzanne Blake, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

This unit, created to address wrongful convictions, conducted a comprehensive investigation that confirmed the recantations and exposed the systemic failures that led to Gould’s wrongful imprisonment. —Eugene Z. Bertrand, Hartford Courant, 1 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wrongful

• wrongful birth
• wrongful death

Kids Definition

wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: wrong entry 2 sense 1

a wrongful act

2

: unlawful

wrongful possession of another's property

wrongfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

wrongfulness noun

Legal Definition

wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: constituting a wrong

especially : injurious to the rights of another

a wrongful act or omission

2

: unlawful

remained in wrongful occupation of the property

a wrongful occupant

wrongfully adverb

wrongfulness noun