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

Jurors could award tens of millions of dollars for Konoa‘s pain and suffering alone, Rowley argued, in addition to wrongful-death damages for his parents. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025

Days later, former New Mexico State athletic director Mario Moccia filed suit against his former school, alleging both wrongful termination and violations of public records laws. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Dec. 2025

Now, decades later, Levy was being asked to re-examine Alex’s death amid an initiative in Nashville investigating potential wrongful convictions. —Dan Slepian, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025

After his deportation to El Salvador, a tense legal battle ensued over the his wrongful deportation. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Dec. 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