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Dictionary.com

within the law

ADJECTIVE
legal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
constitutional contractual fair juridical lawful legitimate proper statutory valid
WEAK
acknowledged allowed authorized card-carrying chartered clean condign decreed due enforceable enforced enjoined forensic granted innocent judged judicial just justifiable justified legalized legit licit on the level on the up and up ordained passed precedented prescribed protected right rightful sanctioned sound straight sure-enough warranted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate invalid unacceptable unlawful
WEAK
illicit wrong

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.

Washington hit back, saying the Pentagon operates within the law and that contracted suppliers cannot dictate terms on how their products are used.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

A senior Pentagon official at the time pushed back on the company's concerns, insisting the Defense Department had always operated within the law.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The White House has said Adm Bradley was responsible for the strikes and that he acted within the law.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

Earlier on Wednesday, the interior ministry said the right of people to protest within the law would be upheld.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

This was a radical change: the ANC’s policy had always been to keep its activities within the law.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela