unlawful

1 of 2

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
Synonyms of unlawfulnext
1
a
: not lawful : illegal
unlawful actions
b
: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law
an unlawful possessor
2
: not morally right or conventional
unlawfully
ˌən-ˈlȯ-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
adverb
unlawfulness
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl-nəs How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
noun

unlawfulness

2 of 2

noun

un·​law·​ful·​ness
: the quality or state of being unlawful

Synonyms of unlawful

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Adjective

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Examples of unlawful in a Sentence

Adjective The sale of alcohol to minors is unlawful. it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
On the tenth anniversary of the ruling, the United States, the Philippines, and 12 other states reaffirmed their commitment to the decision and denounced China’s unlawful behavior. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 Harry also reached a settlement with the publisher of The Sun last January, which paid an eight-figure sum in damages and issued an apology acknowledging unlawful actions. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Trump has said Canada needs to stop unlawful migration and drug-trafficking. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Pacheco pleaded guilty to possessing meth with the intent to distribute, and unlawful reentry after removal. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlawful

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unlawful was in the 14th century

Rhymes for unlawful

See All Rhymes for unlawful

Browse Nearby Words

unlawed
unlawful
unlawfully
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unlawful

adjective
un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
unlawfully
-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
adverb
unlawfulness
-fəl-nəs How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

unlawful

adjective
un·​law·​ful
1
: not lawful : not authorized or justified by law
2
: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law
an unlawful possessor
unlawfully adverb
unlawfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unlawful

Nglish: Translation of unlawful for Spanish Speakers

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