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
The department intends to make sure participants have a safe space to demonstrate and intends stop any unlawful activity.
—
Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Jackson's children were placed into emergency protective custody and she was charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
Venezuela has accused the United States of carrying out unlawful attacks in the Caribbean, claiming the strikes were killing civilians and threatening regional stability.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Greer was charged with a count of unlawful use of a weapon and a count of second-degree trafficking of drugs.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Jackson's children were placed into emergency protective custody and she was charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
Venezuela has accused the United States of carrying out unlawful attacks in the Caribbean, claiming the strikes were killing civilians and threatening regional stability.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Greer was charged with a count of unlawful use of a weapon and a count of second-degree trafficking of drugs.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
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
-
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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It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Trump has made combating the opioid crisis, particularly the influx of illicit fentanyl, a central focus of his administration's policies.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Fox News exclusively embedded with the Austin Police Department as part of a nationwide human trafficking operation targeting illicit Chinese massage parlors.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Also nominated, Pohl starred as evil Esme Prince on General Hospital.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As Robbie's actions target stash houses run by the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang, a deadly turf war erupts, escalating tensions in the city and drawing both law enforcement and criminal factions into a high-stakes battle over control, survival and justice.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.—
NPR,
NPR,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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No one knows the cake’s origin, but people like to offer theories on its name: Some say the word devil is a nod to the sinful dark chocolate, reminiscent of devil’s food cake.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
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In an important variation, medieval soldiers returning from war regularly spent an extended period of penance in monasteries – a recognition of Catholicism’s teaching that any war is inherently sinful.—
Timothy Gabrielli,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Those stiffed in this initial round are rendered unable to meet their own bills and a vicious cycle ensues.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
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In Black Phone 2, McGraw has been upgraded to the de facto lead actor, and Gwen’s foul-mouthed takedowns are even more vicious.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Marty Muggle-Wump is part of the clever monkey duo determined to outsmart their vile captors, perfectly voiced by Timothy Simons.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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