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
Separately, another federal judge ruled that the Energy Department’s decision to slash $30 million in funding for seven clean energy projects was unlawful because the decision appeared to be based on political bias, with all the projects located in Democrat-majority states.
—
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Police arrested Andy Alcantara-Beltre, 33, of Dorchester and charged him with unlawful possession of a gun and ammunition, trafficking a Class A substance (over 100 grams), and possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance (crack cocaine).
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
And when unlawful acts are committed, hold individuals accountable.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Boley's father, Jameson Kyle Boley, 40, of Jasper, Alabama, has been charged with felony chemical endangerment of a child and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, according to Walker County District Court records obtained by Fox News Digital.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Police arrested Andy Alcantara-Beltre, 33, of Dorchester and charged him with unlawful possession of a gun and ammunition, trafficking a Class A substance (over 100 grams), and possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance (crack cocaine).
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
And when unlawful acts are committed, hold individuals accountable.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Boley's father, Jameson Kyle Boley, 40, of Jasper, Alabama, has been charged with felony chemical endangerment of a child and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, according to Walker County District Court records obtained by Fox News Digital.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
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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In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.—
Mark Pinkert,
Oc Register,
23 Dec. 2025
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The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Drug-trafficking networks with links to transnational cartels are active along Ecuador’s coast and have used fishermen and their small boats to transport illicit shipments, according to local police.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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On the DeFi front, crypto advocates are fighting to ensure developers do not face prosecution when their technology is used for illicit activities like money laundering.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hefner the evil flesh merchant.—
Lili Anolik,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
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In director John Boorman's extravagant sci-fi classic Excalibur (1981), the star played Morgana, King Arthur's estranged and evil half-sister.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Texas criminal defense attorney Javier Guzman advised that aiding and abetting charges can result in fines of up to $250,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years, depending on the conduct and whether the assistance was for profit.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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The driver was cited and is expected to get a criminal complaint for endangered driving.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Gettin’ sinful all of a sudden.—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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Tantric cultural and spiritual traditions, which began to emerge in the early centuries of the Common Era, take a positive perspective on the material world in general and the human body in particular, as opposed to traditions that regard both as inherently illusory or sinful.—
Anya Foxen,
The Conversation,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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These vicious youths fell the infected almost for sport, which undersells the source of terror so essential to the series.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
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His charges there include interference with law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large, according to a news release from KCK police.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Removing a vile, brutal, and corrupt president without a clear transition plan, and relying on his former regime to deliver if for you, is not supporting democracy.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
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Grok, the chatbot of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, published sexualized images of children as its guardrails seem to have failed when it was prompted with vile user requests.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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