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

Neda Sharghi is Emad's sister and spent years advocating for his release and continues to help other families of wrongful detainees. —CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Bell Limbrick filed suit early last year, accusing USC of wrongful termination. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

That teacher later settled a wrongful termination claim with their district of employment, the lawyers said. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026

Nearly two decades after a federal racketeering conviction sent him to prison and forced him out of a powerful South Florida labor union his family created, Walter Browne has won a nearly $300,000 wrongful termination payout from the exact same organization. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 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