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
Liam Timothy Walsh, 20, of Somerville, Massachusetts was extradited to Connecticut on Tuesday and charged with inciting injury to persons or property, first-degree criminal mischief, unlawful assembly, second-degree breach of peace and first-degree criminal mischief, according to Capt.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Bonta’s lawsuit drew praise from environmental groups, which said Wright’s order to resume pumping — and Sable’s move to do so last week — were unlawful.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Lawyers have criticized the program as unlawful.
—Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors agreed to drop the second-degree murder charge and allow Miller to plead guilty to one count of unlawful use of a weapon in an agreement.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Bonta’s lawsuit drew praise from environmental groups, which said Wright’s order to resume pumping — and Sable’s move to do so last week — were unlawful.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Lawyers have criticized the program as unlawful.
—Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors agreed to drop the second-degree murder charge and allow Miller to plead guilty to one count of unlawful use of a weapon in an agreement.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 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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The Michigan State Police said Robert Wilson, 44, of Gaylord, was arrested on March 25 and lodged at the Otsego County Jail on one charge each of accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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When the status quo is fundamentally evil and dysfunctional, then Trimming is immoral.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Two men who worked as couriers for an illicit delivery service that sold methamphetamine, ketamine and cocaine in the same style as popular restaurant and grocery deliver services were given sentences that did not include any prison time, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Economically depressed, Garberville depends on an illicit economy — cannabis production — that is the town’s most open secret.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2026
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Black is reprising his role as the sassy, if evil, Bowser in the sequel.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Broidy’s criminal convictions notwithstanding, his allegations against Chalker appeared plausible.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His father, who believes Sammie's music to be sinful, orders him to drop the guitar, but Sammie can't do it.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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The least sinful states in 2026 Wyoming was ranked the least sinful state in 2026, followed by New Hampshire, Idaho, Vermont, Maine, Minnesota, Utah, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Cinderella with one vile stepsister would be locked in a zero-sum game.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Other presidents have been partisan; other presidents have exhibited vile behavior.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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