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

Days later, Weiner sued St. Peter’s and its executives for wrongful termination and defamation. —J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2024

This causal link must show an intentionally wrongful act and a specific injury. —Jon McGowan, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

After Leung's sentencing, the U.S. recommended -- though without citing specific cases -- that Americans reconsider traveling to China because of arbitrary law enforcement and exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Nov. 2024

The percentage of wrongful convictions that include false confessions also leaped when the crime was a homicide. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

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