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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlawful
To the extent that there have been acts of violence and vandalism in the vicinity of the protests, those acts are unlawful.
—
Dan Tully, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
McIntire has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him: malicious destruction of property and unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
Instead of guaranteeing parties' legitimate rights to peaceful nuclear energy, it has been exploited as a pretext for aggression and unlawful action that jeopardize the supreme interests of my country.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
In the present moment, the conservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the program unlawful but allowed renewals to continue for current recipients.
—Darren Soto, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Dan Tully, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
McIntire has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him: malicious destruction of property and unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
Instead of guaranteeing parties' legitimate rights to peaceful nuclear energy, it has been exploited as a pretext for aggression and unlawful action that jeopardize the supreme interests of my country.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
In the present moment, the conservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the program unlawful but allowed renewals to continue for current recipients.
—Darren Soto, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Though the organization had a history of taking action against (supposedly) immoral ministers, Kunstler had no direct evidence to prove this was the case with Rev. Hall.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
27 June 2025
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His plan calls for demanding that messages not change more frequently than every four seconds, not include flashing lights and not include obscene, indecent or immoral content.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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In two new indictments, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges millions in illicit earnings by remote work impersonators.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
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What emerges isn’t just kickbacks — but the outlines of a prostitution ring allegedly funded with illicit money.—
Gina Montaner,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Twin Peaks, Deputy Chief Hawk and Sheriff Frank Truman—filling in for ailing brother Frank—work on following a lead phoned in by an ailing Log Lady, while Richard Horne, son of Audrey Horne and Cooper’s evil double, spiraling into depravity and addiction, kills a child in a hit-and-run.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
20 June 2025
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Unfortunately, those lofty first-act ambitions give way to something much more formulaic, as Buzz joins forces with the usual ragtag bunch of misfits to battle the evil Emperor Zurg.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Owens was arrested on charges of third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespassing and first-degree criminal mischief.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
23 June 2025
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Though the counts of second degree murder and armed criminal action, as well as others, were Jones’ first felony convictions, his criminal record in Municipal Court was chock full of warning signs.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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There’s a sinful sort of glee in watching all of this unfold, knowing that the same mournful character might be the next one to die.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
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The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This approach costs three times more than housing people and creates a vicious cycle — incarceration increases homelessness risk by destroying community connections and employment prospects.—
Mahdi E Diab,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Of course, no conversation about Yellowjackets season 3 would be complete without a deep dive into Shauna's vicious throw down with Swank's Melissa — during which Shauna rips a chunk of flesh off Melissa's arm with her teeth and forces her to eat it.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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But here’s the hard truth: the First Amendment protects vile, hateful speech, not just popular opinions.—
Bob Shaw,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2025
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The second my status came into question, the vile comments on my worthiness came out, and those comments are telling.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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