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

Fitzgerald filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university, which was settled in August. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

An Associated Press review from 2013 found at least two dozen wrongful convictions or charges based on bite mark evidence since 2000. —Jack Brook The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2025

Similar faulty forensic bite mark analysis has resulted in dozens of other wrongful convictions or charges. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025

The case judge, Bryant-McCormick, said Apex purchased the home in foreclosure and raised the questions of fraud or wrongful foreclosure. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Nov. 2025

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