as in illegality
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Recent Examples of unlawfulness
But in a court-martial, a service member who argues that an order is unlawful has the burden of proving its unlawfulness.
—
Joshua Kastenberg, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025
Many people at Harvard and elsewhere feared that the university would reach a deal with the Administration before Judge Burroughs’s decision, because that would have meant that no court would declare the unlawfulness of the Administration’s actions toward academic institutions.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Joshua Kastenberg, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025
Many people at Harvard and elsewhere feared that the university would reach a deal with the Administration before Judge Burroughs’s decision, because that would have meant that no court would declare the unlawfulness of the Administration’s actions toward academic institutions.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawfulness
Noun
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While lower prices are welcome news for consumers, cannabis businesses have had difficulty making money due to high financing and operating costs, and an inability to take normal business tax deductions due to the drug’s illegality under federal law.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Speaking out in that way is not illegality.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The agency is on the clock with its investigations, mandated by the state to complete accident investigations within six months, and, sources said, delays affect its ability to assess fines and determine criminality, and may have harmed families ability to receive restitution.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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But the public image was always one of criminality rather than survival.—
Pablo Larios,
Artforum,
6 May 2026
Noun
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International watchdogs warn of democratic backsliding under Vucic, citing police abuses and pressure on critics, while Serbia’s bid for European Union membership faces potential funding cuts over eroding rule of law.—
Jovana Gec,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
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The change followed a report from a commission that discussed state institutions' history of abuse and neglect, including patient sterilizations at a state hospital in Monson.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
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But some Democrats worry her mayoral record during the tumult of the pandemic, which included struggles to deal with violent protests and lawlessness, along with her stunning decision not to seek a second term would hobble her bid.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
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And the message that lawlessness runs the streets is over.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlawfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawfulness. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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