wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: wrong, unjust

2

a

: having no legal sanction : unlawful

b

: having no legal claim

a wrongful heir

wrongfully

ˈrȯŋ-fə-lē 

adverb

wrongfulness noun

Synonyms

• criminal
• felonious
• illegal
• illegitimate
• illicit
• lawless
• unlawful

Examples of wrongful in a Sentence

He is suing his former employer for wrongful termination.

charged with wrongful possession of narcotics

Recent Examples on the Web

The office has a track record of disputing wrongful conviction claims, even when evidence casts serious doubt on a verdict. —Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025

Instead, the Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group was more worried about another stat: Only 42 percent of respondents agreed that employees are willing or very willing to report wrongful conduct. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025

Gutierrez, meanwhile, sued Del Villar and Del Records for wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment in April 2023. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025

Employment law covers various issues, including wrongful termination, wage disputes, workplace harassment and discrimination claims. —Jc Serrano, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wrongful

• wrongful birth
• wrongful death

Kids Definition

wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: wrong entry 2 sense 1

a wrongful act

2

: unlawful

wrongful possession of another's property

wrongfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

wrongfulness noun

Legal Definition

wrongful

adjective

wrong·​ful ˈrȯŋ-fəl 

1

: constituting a wrong

especially : injurious to the rights of another

a wrongful act or omission

2

: unlawful

remained in wrongful occupation of the property

a wrongful occupant

wrongfully adverb

wrongfulness noun