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
The court determined that agents have continued to make unlawful warrantless arrests after that injunction was granted.
—
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 13 May 2026
In the meantime, as the government continues to collect tariffs under Section 122—duties that could ultimately be deemed unlawful and refunded to importers.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The complaint claims the practice amounts to an unlawful invasion of privacy and violates Texas consumer protection laws.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026
The arrests were on various charges, including affray, possession of narcotics, resisting without violence and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Tampa Police Department.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 13 May 2026
In the meantime, as the government continues to collect tariffs under Section 122—duties that could ultimately be deemed unlawful and refunded to importers.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The complaint claims the practice amounts to an unlawful invasion of privacy and violates Texas consumer protection laws.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026
The arrests were on various charges, including affray, possession of narcotics, resisting without violence and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Tampa Police Department.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 11 May 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
-
Each side views members of the other party not as merely having a different view on politics but rather as evil or immoral.—
James Piazza,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And while the medical community rejected the compounds, today’s illicit drug manufacturers have revived nitazenes in a far more concentrated and hazardous form.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Reporters crowded around Scott, asking him about Becerra and whether the candidate knew about the illicit arrangement.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Specifically, carapaces spelling out 8647, which is either shell-speak for evil intent or a bartender telling Patel to 86 his personal booze and buy a drink already.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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The story is built around Kitana’s childhood trauma of losing her father to the evil Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), who has taken over her home realm of Edenia, enslaving her mother as his zombie consort, Sindel (Ana Thu Nguyen).—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Richards began his career in criminal-justice advocacy, the idea of closing Rikers Island would have been a radical fantasy.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Jayvon Boyd, 27, was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the stabbing, which occurred the day before.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Efficiency is religion, and turnovers are almost sinful.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Christian moralists thundered against the sinful pleasures of watching naked female flesh at the Spectacles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The story follows a Lebanese family caught in debts and schemes that drag them in a vicious cycle that tests their unity.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
But the score was a costly one since the penalty that sent up the goal — a vicious hit from defenseman Brayden McNabb — knocked Ducks forward Ryan Poehling out of the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The land of the southern hemisphere pulled away from this vile impactor, restructuring itself in the northern hemisphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
Fleeing Salzburg and his father’s (Jonathan Aris) iron fist and emphasis on perfection, Mozart, armed with his compositions, vile language and impulsivity, is determined to take on the city.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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