as in legitimate
permitted by law
hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawful
Trump is attempting to deny birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, to babies born to parents who aren’t citizens or lawful permanent residents.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Seven people affiliated with the University of Maryland, College Park have unexpectedly lost their lawful status in the United States, the university confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Friday.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
Two courts in Washington are still weighing in on whether the efforts to shut out the AP are lawful.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
These refugees, most of whom are women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, fled an active war zone through a lawful program initiated by the U.S. government.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Seven people affiliated with the University of Maryland, College Park have unexpectedly lost their lawful status in the United States, the university confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Friday.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
Two courts in Washington are still weighing in on whether the efforts to shut out the AP are lawful.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
These refugees, most of whom are women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, fled an active war zone through a lawful program initiated by the U.S. government.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawful
Adjective
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There must also be a clear distinction between errors made in the course of legitimate military operations and intentionally directing attacks against civilians, which is Hamas' standard practice and a blatant war crime.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
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Regulators need to document legitimate harm that is caused by these products, and that process can take years.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Kemsley, citing irreconcilable differences, is also requesting that her ex pay her legal fees.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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According to Katelyn Burns of MSNBC, the author donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland, a campaign group which brought legal challenges arguing that trans women should not be considered women.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawful. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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