1
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
a sympathetic look at the unlawful love between a married physician and an adoring colleague
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlawful
The indictment, handed up by a federal grand jury in Maryland, charged Bolton with eight counts of unlawful transmission of national defense information as well as 10 counts of unlawful retention of national defense information.
—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
26 June 2026
He was arrested and charged with assault, threatening, unlawful restraint, breach of peace and disorderly conduct.
—
Kc Baker,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Some members of the conservative majority have, on occasion, exhibited a willingness to stand up to Trump’s most egregiously unlawful actions.
—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records.
—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
26 June 2026
He was arrested and charged with assault, threatening, unlawful restraint, breach of peace and disorderly conduct.
—
Kc Baker,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Some members of the conservative majority have, on occasion, exhibited a willingness to stand up to Trump’s most egregiously unlawful actions.
—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records.
—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.
Adjective
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Court records show that 60-year-old Bradley Kyle Martin, of Dearborn Heights, is charged with using a computer or internet to communicate with another person to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes.
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These monsters—its antitheses—constitute that part of our nature that urges us to be sensible and strong, and that inclines us to see the life drive as trivial, weak, sentimental and immoral.
Adjective
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So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
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Australian Federal Police via AP Six others allegedly involved in the importation of the cocaine had previously been arrested and charged with offenses related to illicit drugs possession, police said.
Adjective
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With some assistance from the bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), Kara and Ruthye track down Krem and his evil Brigands.
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Load was a Number One seller in 1996, and its comelier evil twin, ReLoad, repeated the feat a year and a half later.
Adjective
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Guo was convicted of nine of 12 criminal charges during a seven-week trial that prosecutors said showcased his deception of thousands of investors in bogus deals that enabled Guo’s lavish lifestyle.
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In May 2025, a Placer County criminal grand jury indicted both men.
Adjective
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Critics also have challenged the report’s characterization of cases involving women, contending these were consensual affairs that were sinful but not abusive.
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Naim and his overly anxious single mom (Mia Wasikowska) attend rote church services in which the pastor looks to exorcise the LGBTQ+ from sinful boys who like boys and girls who like girls.
Adjective
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
Adjective
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Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport that ended with a vile and racist comment.
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That person is referring to heavyweight Josh Hokit, who is facing widespread backlash for making a vile joke about former first lady Michelle Obama after winning his match over Derrick Lewis.
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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