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 Tyree Thomas, 39, of Bridgeport pleaded guilty to crossing state lines with the intent to engage in the unlawful dealing of firearms during a hearing Monday in federal court in New Haven, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2024 Work of community group cited by Justice Department report Poder started off battling former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration sweeps, which a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department in 2010 said relied on unlawful profiling of Latinos based on race. Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 16 June 2024 Man Who Earned College Degree While Incarcerated Gets Accepted to Law School Months After Release Jones was first convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun at age 20 and was sentenced to three years in prison, per the Chronicle. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 15 June 2024 Sanders was in custody for three burglaries and one unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, Harris County Chief Phillip Bosquez said during a previous news briefing. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for unlawful 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unlawful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near unlawful

Cite this Entry

“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.

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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