unlawful

adjective

ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
Definition of unlawfulnext
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

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 Parties representing both groups are part of Netanyahu’s coalition, which has struggled to avert a split over the issue since a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that an exemption to the draft for religious study was unlawful. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit is asking the court to declare the notices and the Finance Department’s property roll as unlawful, as well as seeking immediate removal of the list publicly. — Katherine Koretski, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 Pearsall, a 59-year-old Long Beach resident, is also facing a criminal case with five felony counts of eavesdropping and more than two dozen misdemeanor counts of secretly filming or unlawful dissemination of private recordings. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026 Manslaughter is, generally, an unlawful killing that was unintentional. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
  1. illicit
  2. immoral
  3. criminal
  4. evil
  5. sinful
  6. vicious
  7. vile
  8. bad
Adjective
  • This ongoing challenge raises significant questions about the control of programmable dollars and the effectiveness of stablecoin freezes in combating illicit finance, which increasingly relies on these digital assets.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • For example, libertarians generally argue that owning guns, using illicit drugs and refusing vaccinations are individual rights that must be protected from the harm of infringement via regulation.
    — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Neither Agamemnon nor Menelaus grasp that their actions toward their wives were immoral.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
  • Some rabbinic readings attribute Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom to his immoral greed and inordinate wealth.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Informal mining is a deep problem in South Africa and is connected to criminal syndicates, according to authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Bad actors rely on their platforms to distribute illicit products, facilitate fraud and fund criminal activity.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Bannister starred in all five Phantasm films, battling the evil Tall Man, a role that cemented his place in horror cinema.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the very best efforts of writers, cast and crew, Rhaenyra, her evil half-brothers and all their fellow citizens were never Martin’s main characters.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
  • And on the other side of the ball, this defense has a chance to be downright vicious.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Heidegger, the philosopher of authenticity and independent thought, had become one of them, surrendering to vicious political cant.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • Disgusted that any adult would ever consider exploiting a child in such a vile and predatory way.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • His tenure came to an end when video surfaced of a drunken Galliano berating other customers at a Paris bar with vile antisemitic insults.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of vile
Adjective
  • Sensing a disconnect or worse, a feeling of being forgotten, Campbell this summer invited some of the men who wrote those letters to campus.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Dry weather periods are expected in Colorado, and wildfires tend to be worse during these times.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad

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unlatching
unlawful
unlawfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unlawful for Spanish Speakers

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