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

Minor data discrepancies can lead to major consequences: job loss, denial of benefits and wrongful targeting in law enforcement operations. —Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025

While the tariff agenda was dominating the news cycle both domestically and internationally, a large and growing story in recent weeks has been the administration’s wrongful deportation of Abrego Garcia. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025

According to Human Rights Watch, Bukele’s administration has detained 85,000 people in El Salvador, though only 1,000 have been convicted of crimes, raising concerns over wrongful imprisonments. —Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2025

Knox, a Seattle native who advocates against wrongful convictions, has known Pearl Jam for years. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 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