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
Serbia briefly detained Radoicic after the shooting, accusing him of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of weapons.
—
ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
In January, a Bexar County grand jury indicted the judge on charges of unlawful restraint by a peace officer, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and official oppression, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
Dib was also convicted on Tuesday of first- and second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and discharging a firearm within city limits, the release states.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Thursday Arnold pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of cocaine and was given a concurrent sentence of eight years in prison.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
In January, a Bexar County grand jury indicted the judge on charges of unlawful restraint by a peace officer, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and official oppression, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
Dib was also convicted on Tuesday of first- and second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and discharging a firearm within city limits, the release states.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Thursday Arnold pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of cocaine and was given a concurrent sentence of eight years in prison.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 23 Apr. 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
-
And never mind that this is simply wrong, almost to the point of being immoral.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
To do so is to be tacitly complicit in what these companies know to be wrong, unethical and immoral.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At least four federal judges blocked some of those subpoenas as flagrantly illicit overreach.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Some lawmakers and industry groups have raised concerns about personal freedom, enforcement challenges, and the growth of illicit tobacco markets, sparking debate over individual liberty and the role of the state in regulating personal behavior.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The actors sprang to life, staging a lurid scene in which an evil mistress named Selina frames the heroine for killing her unborn child.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Clearly, the Iranian regime is evil.—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2025 alone, the city paid these firms more than $20 million to fight the claims of people whose criminal convictions were overturned in court.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Assault victims in Virginia may seek a civil resolution to their criminal case through accord and satisfaction, an agreement for an amount owed in damages, such as money to cover the cost of medical bills or property repairs.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Christian moralists thundered against the sinful pleasures of watching naked female flesh at the Spectacles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Now, is that the same as a soldier betting on the capture of a vicious dictator?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fans, some of them little kids parroting what their parents were saying, called him vile names.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
His Max is both vile and charming, and the result is undeniably magnetic.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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