LAWFUL Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lawful' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lawful are legal , legitimate , and licit . While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon). // the lawful sovereign

Q: When would 'legal' be a good substitute for 'lawful'?

The meanings of legal and lawful largely overlap; however, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts. // legal residents of the state

Q: In what contexts can 'legitimate' take the place of 'lawful'?

The words legitimate and lawful can be used in similar contexts, but legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards. // a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

Q: Where would 'licit' be a reasonable alternative to 'lawful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lawful , licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law. // the licit use of drugs by doctors

lawful

adjective

ˈlȯ-fəl

Definition of lawful next

as in legitimate

permitted by law hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license

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How is the word lawful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lawful are legal, legitimate, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

When would legal be a good substitute for lawful?

The meanings of legal and lawful largely overlap; however, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

In what contexts can legitimate take the place of lawful?

The words legitimate and lawful can be used in similar contexts, but legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

Where would licit be a reasonable alternative to lawful?

While in some cases nearly identical to lawful, licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of lawful For Medicaid, the federal government will no longer supply its share of funding for Medicaid applicants who don't supply prompt proof of their lawful citizenship. —

Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026 While the warrant itself may have been lawful, the implications stretch far beyond one investigation. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026 The bill would require DHS to review lawful immigration status and report any SNAP or TANF applicants who are not in the country legally to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. —

Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 5 Feb. 2026 Criminal contempt of Congress is a mechanism that the House or Senate can use to penalize a person for wilfully refusing to comply with a lawful or congressional subpoena. —

Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawful

Adjective

This new note asked for 1 Bitcoin, equivalent to about $70,000, and cites a legitimate Bitcoin address.

— Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of legitimate

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“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawful. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of lawful

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