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
Dominguez considers the detention of Rojas—and other Venezuelans with TPS—to be unlawful.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
If the Administration’s actions are so blatantly unlawful, why does everyone seem to be caving?
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
But the immediacy of One Battle After Another—with its ICE-like detention camps, unlawful militias storming American streets, and elites who promote white supremacy in closed-door meetings—was intended to embellish the spirit of Vineland rather than undermine it.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The Falmouth harbormaster somehow figured out what was going on and reported the unlawful shellfishing in Green Pond to a state Environmental Police officer, who, in turn, went to Big Rock Oysters and inspected the oyster containers.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
If the Administration’s actions are so blatantly unlawful, why does everyone seem to be caving?
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
But the immediacy of One Battle After Another—with its ICE-like detention camps, unlawful militias storming American streets, and elites who promote white supremacy in closed-door meetings—was intended to embellish the spirit of Vineland rather than undermine it.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The Falmouth harbormaster somehow figured out what was going on and reported the unlawful shellfishing in Green Pond to a state Environmental Police officer, who, in turn, went to Big Rock Oysters and inspected the oyster containers.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
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
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Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is disgraceful and immoral.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Their function, Milic said, was to illicit wonder and curiosity.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Using records from Japan's Foreign Ministry, a map shows that, in addition to Canada, Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have also deployed warships and aircraft to counter illicit North Korean activities at sea this year.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tim Curry's marvelous Frank was a monster of self-regard, and Tim knew exactly how to give this evil genius his head and Mick served it up on a photographic plate.—
Sara Belcher,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Major biotech companies that churn out made-to-order DNA for scientists have protections in place to keep dangerous biological material out of the hands of would-be evil-doers.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The 1983 crime classic follows determined, criminal-minded Cuban immigrant Tony Montana (Pacino), who becomes the biggest drug smuggler in Miami and is eventually undone by his own drug addiction.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Oct. 2025
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That panel included two former judges who had overseen international criminal tribunals, a former legal adviser to the British Foreign Office, and Amal Clooney, a British Lebanese human-rights lawyer and the wife of George Clooney.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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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This pervasive fragmentation creates a vicious cycle.—
Emeka Ajene,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Two officers responded and learned the teen had barricaded himself inside the upper unit of the duplex with several vicious dogs, according to a search warrant.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the season’s back half, neither its overloading of vile desecrations nor maudlin sentimentality adds anything that Monster hadn’t already established four episodes ago.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 Oct. 2025
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Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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