Synonym Chooser

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 Last week, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the U.S. who had been charged with drug trafficking died at an ICE detention facility in Florida. Raphael Romero Ruiz, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025 The bill will also limit benefits to citizens or lawful permanent residents (with some exceptions). Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025 The order also denies citizenship to children whose mothers are temporarily in the United States, including those visiting under the Visa Waiver Program or as tourists, or who are students and whose fathers are not citizens or lawful permanent residents. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 3 July 2025 The order specified that only children with at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent would be considered citizens at birth. Nik Popli, Time, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawful
Adjective
  • Attackers also uploaded counterfeit Python packages mimicking legitimate ChatGPT tools to deceive developers and exploit the popularity of AI development.
    Bojan Šimić, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Mike Brown has become a legitimate candidate for the job and has had a second interview with the team, but there are still a lot of questions left to be answered.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit last month seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to put the project on hold until legal wrangling is resolved.
    Dara Kam, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
  • On the other hand, an officer failing to identify themselves can have serious consequences for the legal defense of someone detained or arrested.
    Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawful. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lawful

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