UNLAWFULNESS Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

unlawfulness

noun

Definition of unlawfulness

as in illegality

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unlawfulness But in a court-martial, a service member who argues that an order is unlawful has the burden of proving its unlawfulness. — Joshua Kastenberg, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025 Many people at Harvard and elsewhere feared that the university would reach a deal with the Administration before Judge Burroughs’s decision, because that would have meant that no court would declare the unlawfulness of the Administration’s actions toward academic institutions. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawfulness

Noun

In an attempt to make the case against him, Pembrock commits a stunning act of illegality that would immediately have the case thrown out of court but at least provides the film a few moments of suspense.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
That’s typically a vital part of the narrative of illegality.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of illegality

Noun

Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism.

— Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
What about how police agencies understand criminality and risk can only be put on the table and frankly stated behind closed doors?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminality

Noun

When the couple is suspected of child abuse, their five kids are taken away by protective services.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2026
While rights activists accuse Bukele's government of widespread abuses, the country is notably safer than many other countries whose people have recently lost TPS protections.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

But more important to us right now is getting healthcare to the American people and ending the lawlessness.

— NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Decent law-abiding Israelis living in Judea/Samaria are also disgusted by behavior of the few who violate civil law & Torah by violence & lawlessness.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lawlessness

Noun

At the center of the story is Rashid, a prison guard who has been suspended from his job after being accused of corruption.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Described as a combination of Filipino genre cinema with American indie grit, the film explores themes including class, power and corruption.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of corruption

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unlawful

unlawfulness

unlay

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Style

“Unlawfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawfulness. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unlawfulness

noun

Example Sentences

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