1
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
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
This includes the sacred right to petition for habeas corpus, the ancient writ that allows a person to challenge unlawful detention.
—
Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education told states that federal financial assistance would be halted unless state and local education agencies stopped providing DEI initiatives, which the Trump administration views as unlawful.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Burglary/Breaking & Entering – The unlawful entry into a building or some other structure to commit a felony or a theft.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
In response, Harvard has filed a lawsuit claiming the government’s actions were arbitrary, unlawful and violated its First Amendment right to free speech.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education told states that federal financial assistance would be halted unless state and local education agencies stopped providing DEI initiatives, which the Trump administration views as unlawful.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Burglary/Breaking & Entering – The unlawful entry into a building or some other structure to commit a felony or a theft.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
In response, Harvard has filed a lawsuit claiming the government’s actions were arbitrary, unlawful and violated its First Amendment right to free speech.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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Even children and adolescents express more willingness to shun and punish moral transgressors than people who do something personally obnoxious or offensive but not immoral.—
Jen Cole Wright,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Zhao, who in 2023 stepped down from his role at Binance as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. over the illicit finance charges, remains a major shareholder of Binance.—
Trump's stablecoin chosen for $2 billion Abu Dhabi investment in Binance, co-founder says Thursday,,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The overwhelming majority of illicit vapes are made in China—including mine, which, according to its packaging, was manufactured in Hong Kong.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The driving force behind college pricing is not some evil genius at Harvard or Penn.—
Ron Lieber,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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As if that wasn't enough trouble, evil doppelgänger Dark Samus shows up too. 5.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Karen Read’s attorneys are taking an approach of highlighting inconsistencies in the testimony of witnesses involved in the case, according to Sydney Rushing, a criminal defense attorney based in Michigan offering analysis on TikTok.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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The Jones Road wildfire, now partially contained, has also led to criminal charges against a local teenager accused of starting the blaze.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sammie’s father is right to be concerned, but wrong about the sinful nature of the blues—Sinners depicts musical talent as a divine blessing, a power that can pierce the veil between worlds, for good or for ill.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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April 20: Projections showed A Minecraft Movie remaining atop the box office this Easter weekend, but audiences actually felt more sinful than predicted.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sandhagen dispatched Edgar with a vicious flying knee 28 seconds into that bout.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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In its most memorable moment, Walker dispatches a particularly vicious henchwoman with a harpoon to the neck.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.—
Jamal Michel,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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While he’s gone, Louise really does give it the ol’ college try with Dane, who hurls threats, vile insults, and more threats in her direction.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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