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 of wrongful

• unlawful
• illegal
• criminal
• illicit
• felonious

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

But stepping out of the Georgia prison proved not to be the end of the uphill battle the father of two faced after his wrongful conviction. — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 6 July 2026

In 2013, Scott Haggerty’s longtime chief of staff, Chris Gray, filed a high-profile whistleblower and wrongful termination suit after he was let go. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Following his dismissal from Jackass Forever in 2022, Margera asked a judge to dismiss his wrongful termination suit against Paramount Pictures. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 July 2026

The money supports cases such as consumer protections, domestic violence and wrongful evictions. — Nick Sullivan july 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026

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