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.
The advocacy groups also allege that the rule itself is unlawful under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and unconstitutional under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Joshua D. Smeltzer, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Each attack plan is usually meant to be analyzed by a group of officers, which often includes a military lawyer who can advise on whether strikes might be unnecessary or unlawful. Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 In court documents, NASCAR has depicted this arrangement as unfair and unlawful since 23XI Racing and Front Row obtain a status arguably superior to those of charter teams. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Dec. 2024 Since 2020, Melton has been doing everything in his power to stop unlawful evictions in Dallas County. Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near unlawful

Cite this Entry

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