unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 
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
Examples of unlawful in a Sentence
The sale of alcohol to minors is unlawful.
it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Recent Examples on the Web
He was later charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Under Texas law, a contract signed under duress is generally voidable if it was obtained through an improper or unlawful threat that overrode the signer’s free will.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 2026
Violating that trust is both cruel and unlawful.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Canvasser was arrested Wednesday and charged with unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance, according to police records.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
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Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Under Texas law, a contract signed under duress is generally voidable if it was obtained through an improper or unlawful threat that overrode the signer’s free will.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 2026
Violating that trust is both cruel and unlawful.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Canvasser was arrested Wednesday and charged with unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance, according to police records.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
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