UNLAWFUL Synonyms: 181 Similar and Opposite Words

unlawful

adjective

ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl

Definition of unlawful

as in illegal

contrary to or forbidden by law it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unlawful Field noted the sync systems are useful for mass messages, such as at a fire evacuation or an unlawful assembly. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 Fourteen of the 15 suspects were charged with both participating in an unlawful speed contest and spectating an unlawful speed contest. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit alleges two counts of unlawful discrimination and two counts of unlawful retaliation. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Providence ultimately agreed to pay $150 million in refunds and debt relief for unlawful charges, the largest resolution of its kind in the country, according to Ferguson’s office. — Ellis Simani, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlawful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful

Adjective

China’s industrial overcapacity has lowered the costs of building and operating illicit enterprises.

— Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
Then again, maybe in Kawhi’s case, even illicit payments are load-managed.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of illicit

Adjective

When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
In the realms of art, literature, film, and television, words and images that would once have been considered indecent, offensive, or immoral are now commonplace, especially in the West.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of immoral

Adjective

In the filing, the Justice Department urged the appeals court to reverse the Tennessee federal judge’s ruling dismissing criminal charges against Abrego Garcia.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Another person, Robert Zanolla, faces charges of felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as related misdemeanors, the office said.

— Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

She’d been told that people outside her faith were evil, and yet her pastor’s wife had turned her away while these scientists were literally bending over to help her.

— Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Still, there is much old-school horror fun to be had here, with costume designer Liz Keogh Palmer and the team of makeup artists especially deserving of credit with their mind-blowing work on various evil spirits.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of evil

Adjective

My prescribed low-carb, caffeine-free diet sounded horrifying on paper, but my sinful pleasures were replaced with a tasty, high-quality, and healthy alternative that left me more energized.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Critics also have challenged the report’s characterization of cases involving women, contending these were consensual affairs that were sinful but not abusive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026

Definition of sinful

Adjective

But Roy’s story of Annie (Arjun Raina), a New Delhi architecture student caught in a vicious cycle of failing and repeating his studies, gradually reveals itself as a sharp and poignant portrayal of youth, deftly poised between hope and cynicism.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Lawsuits, bureaucratic battles, boisterously divisive council arguments and vicious social media debates have been part of Bloomfield life for years, and intensified during Danielle Wong’s contentious time as mayor.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of vicious

Adjective

Neighbors said the rotten-egg smell has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks, even trailing to apartments across the street.

— Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
For Panama, the result is a wet season that’s already been drier than usual and is likely to get worse.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of bad

Browse Nearby Words

unlatching

unlawful

unlawfulness

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“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unlawful

adjective

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