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
Defense lawyers said Austin had no legal authority to reject a decision already approved by the Guantánamo court's top authority and said the move amounted to unlawful interference in the case.
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Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Defense lawyers said Austin had no legal authority to reject a decision already approved by the Guantanamo court’s top authority and said the move amounted to unlawful interference in the case.
—Ellen Knickmeyer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for unlawful 
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Defense lawyers said Austin had no legal authority to reject a decision already approved by the Guantanamo court’s top authority and said the move amounted to unlawful interference in the case.
—Ellen Knickmeyer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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
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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Growing shares in each party describe those in the other party as more closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent than other Americans.NBC News, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
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Last week’s interview saw CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil speak with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his new book The Message, which passionately argues that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is immoral and should be condemned.Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Though police and prosecutors in at least two counties have joined forces to aggressively tackle the illicit drug together, few agencies in the rest of the region have made investigating fentanyl deaths a priority, the Star found.Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
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Throughout the Biden administration, Cuba has worked with U.S. law enforcement – primarily through its engagement with the FBI as well as through the multilateral body Financial Action Task Force – to combat illicit financing, including the funding of terrorism.Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This was not out of choice: After his capture and before his execution, Höss was ordered to write his memoir, giving an insight into the workings of a mind that was both ordinary and chillingly evil.Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
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Nietzsche’s treatise criticizes philosophers who rest their moral framework on the assumption that good and evil are opposites.Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Spencer, who lives in East Harlem, is charged with murder, criminal weapons possession and criminal use of a firearm, according to police.Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
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Over the course of 49 pages, the plea agreement describes an array of criminal acts involving Saavedra and other unnamed sheriff’s deputies, who allegedly harassed and threatened people to intimidate the crypto mogul’s enemies and further his criminal aims.Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And in this case, there’s nothing more sinful than talking about LeBron James trades.Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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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
Adjective
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That’s when Evans, in a full sprint, blindsided Lattimore with a vicious hit in the back and knocked him to the ground.Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
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Several fast-growing wildfires fueled by a vicious Southern California wind storm are devastating communities across the Los Angeles region, with homes being burned to the ground and tens of thousands of people evacuating to safety.Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, the internet facilitates stupid vile behaviours.Art de Roché, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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And quoted my column, earning me weeks of vile hate messages from across the nation.Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawful. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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