as in legitimate
permitted by law
hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in legitimacy
the quality or state of being legal
the lawyers had to work for weeks to determine the lawfulness of the proposed contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawful
Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 20 May 2025
The upgrade is a part of a larger effort to improve the state’s firearms safety systems and efficiencies for lawful firearms owners.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
According to Reuters, the administration contends that the 14th Amendment does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident who has been detained by immigration authorities since March, is scheduled to appear at a pivotal immigration hearing Thursday that could determine his future in the United States.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
Adjective
Marijuana is legal and regulated in California, but the state has been on an aggressive push to stamp out unauthorized grow operations and sales that officials say can fuel gangs and other international criminal organizations, while undermining the lawful industry.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 20 May 2025
The upgrade is a part of a larger effort to improve the state’s firearms safety systems and efficiencies for lawful firearms owners.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
According to Reuters, the administration contends that the 14th Amendment does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident who has been detained by immigration authorities since March, is scheduled to appear at a pivotal immigration hearing Thursday that could determine his future in the United States.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawful
Adjective
-
Once the customers click on the ads, they are directed to a website that looks just like the legitimate Joann website.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Coffey is also a good midrange shooter (78th percentile efficiency in 2024-25), which gives him a legitimate counter to when teams try to deploy the fly-by closeout against him.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
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In a statement, Tory Lanez’s legal team condemned the assault and denied any legitimacy to Casio’s claims.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 May 2025
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Yet Vance has for years been picking an argument with the Chief Justice over the legitimacy of federal court orders.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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In order to pay his legal costs, AJ prepares to sell off some of his assets, which include the Airbnb.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 June 2025
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Ethics are now a bore since unethical behavior can always be papered over with tricks such as deceptive statistics and abstruse legal arguments.—
Cory Franklin,
Twin Cities,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawful. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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