Synonyms of wrongful

wrongful

adjective

ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

as in unlawful

contrary to or forbidden by law

charged with wrongful possession of narcotics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlawful
• illegal
• criminal
• illicit
• felonious
• unauthorized
• illegitimate
• forbidden
• lawless
• immoral
• prohibited
• wrong
• shameful
• unethical
• sinful
• evil
• criminalized
• wicked
• reprehensible
• bad
• blameworthy
• barred
• unlicensed
• corrupt
• unsanctioned
• unscrupulous
• proscribed
• disallowed
• discouraged
• censurable
• outlawed
• unprincipled
• blamable
• contraband
• under-the-table
• villainous
• interdicted
• banned
• adulterine
• bootleg
• under-the-counter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• legal
• lawful
• legitimate
• right
• ethical
• righteous
• good
• virtuous
• permitted
• principled
• just
• authorized
• licensed
• proper
• correct
• endorsed
• approved
• promoted
• supported
• allowed
• decent
• sanctioned
• suggested
• abetted
• encouraged
• decorous
• seemly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wrongful

The spokesman added that wrongful detention is determined by a variety of factors, including having US citizenship or a connection to the US. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Dateline Canada will premiere with a two-hour special revisiting the wrongful conviction of Robert Baltovich, who was jailed for the murder of then-girlfriend Elizabeth Bain after her disappearance in 1990. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Some have expressed concern that overly broad language could lead to wrongful convictions. — Ira Porter, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026

The park settled one wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026