wrongful

adjective

ˈrȯŋ-fəl How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
Definition of wrongfulnext
as in unlawful
contrary to or forbidden by law charged with wrongful possession of narcotics

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 wrongful Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as a wrongful detainee in March. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 The family of a former Obama-era White House official filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Monday over a 2023 flight when pilots briefly lost control of a private jet resulting in fatal injuries to a passenger. — Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 In the past year, 56 people have filed wrongful conviction claims in Georgia. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 13 July 2026 Alfred Dreyfus, whose wrongful 19th century treason conviction exposed deeply rooted anti-Jewish bias in France. — Masha MacPherson, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrongful
  1. unlawful
  2. criminal
  3. illicit
  4. felonious
Adjective
  • Since the tournament began, police have declared unlawful assemblies twice, including late July 5, when a crowd began throwing bottles at officers.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Opponents counter that California already bars unlawful firearm manufacturing with 3-D printers, and that ghost gun recoveries have declined since the state adopted a series of new laws and enforcement efforts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • Because Hostin had no criminal history and cooperated with officers, police said he was issued a summons for trespass and released.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • The arrests were approved by the leaders of the Justice Department’s criminal division, a source told CNN.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • In the latter case, it is found especially in countries where alcoholic drinks are hard to afford or illicit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • In Phoenix, this shift in the illicit drug supply has combined with heat, meth and homelessness to create an emerging crisis of overdose deaths in America’s fifth-largest city.
    — Josh Katz, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • At his sentencing, Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutor Connor Davin recounted Loftis’ long history of criminal convictions, which included charges of assault on a peace officer, drug trafficking, felonious assault and armed robbery.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • Police were serving a search warrant from a felonious assault case.
    — Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of felonious

Browse Nearby Words

wronged
wrongful
wrongfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Wrongful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrongful. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wrongful

Nglish: Translation of wrongful for Spanish Speakers

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