1
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
a sympathetic look at the unlawful love between a married physician and an adoring colleague
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlawful
Most recently, there have been ongoing protests in Los Angeles against unlawful immigration ICE raids across the county.
—
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
On May 28, a federal court ruled this freeze unlawful, siding with plaintiffs in a case called Svitlana Doe v. Noem.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Arrests in Denver and Pueblo Officers arrested at least 17 people during downtown marches on charges including resisting arrest, obstruction of streets, failure to obey a lawful order, and unlawful throwing of projectiles, Denver police said.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 14 June 2025
The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
On May 28, a federal court ruled this freeze unlawful, siding with plaintiffs in a case called Svitlana Doe v. Noem.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Arrests in Denver and Pueblo Officers arrested at least 17 people during downtown marches on charges including resisting arrest, obstruction of streets, failure to obey a lawful order, and unlawful throwing of projectiles, Denver police said.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 14 June 2025
The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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That included Vásquez's organization, which was about to receive a four-year, $2.5 million grant to continue fighting illicit activity that affects Indigenous people in the region.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
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Millions of low-cost devices for media streaming, in-vehicle entertainment, and video projection are infected with malware that turns consumer networks into platforms for distributing malware, concealing nefarious communications, and performing other illicit activities, the FBI has warned.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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While Disney hasn’t revealed Starfighter’s plot, THR adds that the film revolves around Gosling’s character protecting a young charge against evil pursuers, one of whom is Goth.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
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These dedicated warriors certainly earn our admiration in the good/evil binary of the conflict, but complications help give the documentary shape, as in the attention given a crusty logger named Valdir, who agreed to be featured on camera.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Those interactions with the criminal justice system cast long financial shadows.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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His criminal history includes discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling and vehicle, battery on spouse or cohabitant, willful cruelty to child, driving under the influence, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and personal use of a firearm.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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There’s a sinful sort of glee in watching all of this unfold, knowing that the same mournful character might be the next one to die.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
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The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Republican tax bill could push food assistance in Colorado into a vicious cycle of funding cuts, increasing mistakes in determining eligibility and further funding cuts to punish those mistakes, Gov. Jared Polis warned in a letter to congressional leaders Friday.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
16 June 2025
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Plaschke delivers a vicious uppercut to his opponent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Today's extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
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Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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