unlawful

adjective

un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
1
: not lawful : illegal
2
: not morally right or conventional
unlawfully adverb
unlawfulness noun

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
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.
Their actions have sparked numerous lawsuits, and on Thursday, a federal judge in California found that the mass firings of probationary employees were likely unlawful. Kristin Brown, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025 Alsup’s order is a temporary measure that requires OPM to notify agencies that its directive was unlawful. Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful. Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 The ruling came in a challenge filed by several refugee resettlement organizations whose lawsuit earlier this month argued that President Donald Trump's indefinite suspension of the U.S. refugee program was unlawful and causing irreparable harm. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unlawful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unlawful was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

unlawful

adjective
un·​law·​ful ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce unlawful (audio)
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
unlawfully adverb
unlawfulness 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

More from Merriam-Webster on unlawful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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