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
Last weekend, Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood saw a large gathering of teenagers that resulted in three curfew violations and a 16-year-old girl charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct.
—
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
This is all part of Harry’s civil lawsuit against ANL for unlawful information gathering, including phone tapping and the use of private investigators.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 2 Apr. 2026
Baldoni’s attorney, Jonathan Bach, argued the dispute stemmed from creative disagreements, not unlawful conduct.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
This is all part of Harry’s civil lawsuit against ANL for unlawful information gathering, including phone tapping and the use of private investigators.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 2 Apr. 2026
Baldoni’s attorney, Jonathan Bach, argued the dispute stemmed from creative disagreements, not unlawful conduct.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 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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Maxwell told Blanche during the two-day interview there was no client list, no blackmail scheme and, to her knowledge, no high-profile Epstein associates who committed illicit acts in connection with his crimes.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Jordan dissolved its local chapter this year following arrests authorities said were linked to illicit weapons activity.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 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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Moreover, this isn’t your responsibility, particularly after a history of such vicious attacks.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Be cautious — but don’t write off rattlesnakes as vicious, the experts say.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Slayyyter’s music is vile, explicit, and a threat to common decency.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
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Their vile chants are surely loud enough to be heard from 25 feet away.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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