LAWFUL Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lawful' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lawful are legal , legitimate , and licit . While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon). // the lawful sovereign

Q: When would 'legal' be a good substitute for 'lawful'?

The meanings of legal and lawful largely overlap; however, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts. // legal residents of the state

Q: In what contexts can 'legitimate' take the place of 'lawful'?

The words legitimate and lawful can be used in similar contexts, but legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards. // a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

Q: Where would 'licit' be a reasonable alternative to 'lawful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lawful , licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law. // the licit use of drugs by doctors

lawful

adjective

ˈlȯ-fəl

Definition of lawful next

as in legitimate

permitted by law hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word lawful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lawful are legal, legitimate, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

When would legal be a good substitute for lawful?

The meanings of legal and lawful largely overlap; however, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

In what contexts can legitimate take the place of lawful?

The words legitimate and lawful can be used in similar contexts, but legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

Where would licit be a reasonable alternative to lawful?

While in some cases nearly identical to lawful, licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

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 lawful His case was the first of several high-profile incidents in which pro-Palestinian student activists were detained and targeted for deportation despite being lawful residents. —

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026 Those companies have agreed to let the DOD use their models for all lawful purposes within the military’s unclassified systems, though xAI also agreed to allow its models to be used in classified settings this week. —

Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026 For Medicaid, the federal government will no longer supply its share of funding for Medicaid applicants who don't supply prompt proof of their lawful citizenship. —

Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 26 Feb. 2026 As of 2016, according to Pew, 34% of unauthorized immigrants were proficient in English, compared to 57% of lawful immigrants, though at the time English proficiency among unauthorized immigrants was on the rise. —

Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawful

Adjective

The good news is that there are several legitimate strategies to reduce or defer that bill, from gold IRAs to mining stocks to tax-loss harvesting.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Loss of jobs, especially if whole industries or professions (including journalism) are nearly destroyed, is a legitimate concern, as is AI’s effect on our thinking skills.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026