1
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
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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
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Recent Examples of unlawful
Eric Burnette, 38, is charged with unlawful transaction with a minor to the second degree after allegedly giving a 12-year-old Hudson Middle School student a THC pen.
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Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Dec. 2024
In the classified-documents case, Judge Aileen Cannon had already dismissed the indictments against Trump and two co-defendants earlier this year, based on her conclusion that the appointment of a special counsel was unlawful.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
In addition to those allegations, the DOJ said its investigation found that the police department routinely conducts unlawful stops, searches and arrests.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Accordingly, the taxpayers filed a lawsuit against the government, arguing that Notice 2007-83 was unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act.
—Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlawful 
Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Dec. 2024
In the classified-documents case, Judge Aileen Cannon had already dismissed the indictments against Trump and two co-defendants earlier this year, based on her conclusion that the appointment of a special counsel was unlawful.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
In addition to those allegations, the DOJ said its investigation found that the police department routinely conducts unlawful stops, searches and arrests.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Accordingly, the taxpayers filed a lawsuit against the government, arguing that Notice 2007-83 was unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act.
—Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawful
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Regulated sportsbooks find gambling on minors immoral in some respects, but you guys don’t.Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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In a 2022 Pew Research Center study, growing numbers of Americans said members of the other party are dishonest, immoral and closed-minded.Rachel Carlson, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Most drones that are sighted appear to be larger than typical hobbyist models, which has also heightened concerns about their potential use for surveillance or other illicit purposes.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
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The woman, 29, arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand on a flight from Vancouver on December 8 carrying the illicit drugs in her carry-on bag, according to a release from the New Zealand Customs Service.Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Millions of people around the world celebrate the Persian festival of Yalda, which marks the sunrise after the longest night of the year, said to be the night evil forces held the most power.Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Much like 2014’s Ouija, a group of tedious teens unleash an evil entity haunting a specific set of tarot cards.Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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All four broke with party leaders in Sacramento to support Proposition 36, the criminal justice reform measure that passed with overwhelming support.Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
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Two Anne Arundel County police officers, Corporal K. Schnell and Corporal E. Vasquez, were indicted and issued criminal summonses for Misconduct in Office as a result of the investigation conducted by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.Alexa Dikos, Baltimore Sun, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But it also was forged from a particular kind of alchemy that separates a sinful holiday confection from a sugar-sodden mess.Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
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While the Church teaches that homosexual acts are sinful, Francis has made efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics feel welcome.San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
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That was confirmed by his patron in Moscow, which supported the regime in crushing what started as a peaceful protest movement during the Arab Spring and became a vicious civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and sparked a refugee crisis.Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024
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Its main proxy, Hezbollah, was crippled by a pager attack on its hierarchy, and then by weeks of vicious airstrikes.Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The dancing on the death of somebody was pretty vile.Miranda Kennedy, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024
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The hour sits with him as his anxiety builds, causing some to sympathize with him despite his typical vile behavior.EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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