1
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
With financial damages, government officials who engage in unlawful censorship could be held accountable even after leaving office.
—
ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026
And on Monday, a federal judge struck the fee down entirely, calling it an unlawful tax.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Matthew Lambert pleaded guilty to three counts of official misconduct and one count of receiving unlawful gratuities, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said in a news release.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
The Public Integrity Project filed the lawsuit to stop the UFC event at the White House on behalf of the plaintiffs, who argue the event violates federal law and that the administration's authorization of it was unlawful.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026
And on Monday, a federal judge struck the fee down entirely, calling it an unlawful tax.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Matthew Lambert pleaded guilty to three counts of official misconduct and one count of receiving unlawful gratuities, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said in a news release.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
The Public Integrity Project filed the lawsuit to stop the UFC event at the White House on behalf of the plaintiffs, who argue the event violates federal law and that the administration's authorization of it was unlawful.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Similarly, having a conscience means feeling sadness or moral repulsion at the idea of taking a certain action, and those emotions entail a physiological response, a remnant of having once felt sick with guilt after committing an immoral act.—
Ted Chiang,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
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Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was arraigned Sunday on one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, Michigan State Police said.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The store was run by Sam Yuen, head of one of Los Angeles’ tongs, which were secret societies made up of men from China who often dabbled in illicit activities.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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The phenomenon of illicit mining in Johannesburg and surrounding areas was one of the concerns that prompted the government in March to deploy the army to certain high-risk areas in a yearlong operation to stop violence linked to organized crime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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This is a story devoid of childlike wonder, just the horrific evil men are capable of and the small acts of grace found in unspeakable circumstances.—
Chris Nashawaty,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
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Nicholas Galitzine stars as the muscular hero in the new version, which also features Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms Duncan, Camila Mendes as Teela and Jared Leto as the evil wizard Skeletor.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Chesnut said El Mencho, raised in the deeply Catholic Mexican state of Michoacan, echoes other criminal actors who’ve balanced villainy and veneration, bypassing traditional religious frameworks to absolve ― or even justify ― the deeds that reap their daily bread.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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With nothing holding her down but a dead-end job and an aging dad, a small-town Texan girl is swiftly bedazzled by a smooth criminal drifter, and hops into his car to pursue a life less ordinary.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Bowing down and worshiping an idol is sinful.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
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Efficiency is religion, and turnovers are almost sinful.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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The tabloids have been extra vicious of late regarding your family strife.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Firefighters faced vicious winds and, at times, 30-foot flames.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.—
Rachel del Guidice,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Maddie Scott reposted vile comments from one user in particular that threatened not only her and her husband, but also their newborn son.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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