Definitions

lawful

[law-fuhl] / ˈlɔ fəl /

ADJECTIVE

allowable, legitimate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authorized constitutional justifiable legal permissible proper rightful statutory valid

WEAK

bona fide canonical card-carrying commanded condign decreed due enacted enforced enjoined established innocent judged judicial jural juridical jurisprudent just kosher legalized legislated legit legitimatized licit mandated of right official on the level on the up and up ordained ordered passed protected ruled vested warrantable warranted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

illegal illegitimate incorrect unacceptable wrong

WEAK

illicit prohibited taboo unlawful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They received lawful permanent residency in June 2016, Rubio said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

So he tried again, this time describing his force as the “most professional in the world” and vowing it would “always strike lawful targets.”

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

“There are lawful ways to express concerns, but failing to meet tax obligations can lead to significant legal and financial consequences.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Woods, who was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, submitted a written plea of not guilty via his lawyers on Tuesday.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

It was not lawful in these matches to foin—that is, to make a thrust of the paint Finally there was swashbuckling.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Vocabulary lists containing lawful

A Just Cause: Synonyms for "Fair"

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Ten Words related to Citizenship

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You Are Correct! Synonyms for "Right"

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