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Definitions

unlawful

[uhn-law-fuhl] / ʌnˈlɔ fəl /
ADJECTIVE
against the law
Synonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate illicit improper lawless nefarious prohibited unauthorized wrongful
WEAK
actionable banned bootleg criminal flagitious forbidden iniquitous outlawed taboo under-the-counter unlicensed
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allowed authorized blessed ethical good lawful legal legitimate licit moral permitted proper right rightful

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.

Lawyers acting for the company argue the regulations are unlawful and should be reconsidered by the regulator.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Surgery resident Hassan-James Abbas was indicted in December by a Lucas County, Ohio, grand jury, which accused him of unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing drug and five other felony counts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Gannon Ken Van Dyke, 38 years old, entered the plea during a hearing in Manhattan federal court, where he is charged with offenses including commodities fraud and unlawful use of confidential government information.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

“This is unprecedented, unlawful, and going nowhere,” Gomez said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The shebeens were unlawful bars in the back of someone’s house.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah