unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 

1

: not lawful : illegal

2

: not morally right or conventional

unlawfully

ˌən-ˈlȯ-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

unlawfulness

ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• criminal
• felonious
• illegal
• illegitimate
• illicit
• lawless
• wrongful

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

Currently incarcerated in Utah, YoungBoy faces six charges of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, as well as charges related to a pattern of unlawful activity stemming from a May 2023 arrest. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Some are called because of incorrect ingredient information on packet labels or unlawful importation, for example. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

He was slapped with dozens of charges alleging forgery, identity fraud, and unlawful conduct related to a pharmacy. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024

Gaulden has been serving time in Utah since May for six charges of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and for a pattern of unlawful activity, potentially reducing his remaining sentence to approximately 12 months. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 

ˈən-

: not lawful : being against the law : illegal

unlawfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

unlawfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful

1

: not lawful : not authorized or justified by law

2

: acting contrary to or in defiance of the law

an unlawful possessor

unlawfully adverb

unlawfulness noun