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Definitions

unlawful

[uhn-law-fuhl] / ʌnˈlɔ fəl /
ADJECTIVE
against the law
Synonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate illicit improper lawless nefarious prohibited unauthorized wrongful
WEAK
actionable banned bootleg criminal flagitious forbidden iniquitous outlawed taboo under-the-counter unlicensed
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allowed authorized blessed ethical good lawful legal legitimate licit moral permitted proper right rightful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement grew heated Saturday afternoon, with police declaring an unlawful assembly.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Police were "choosing to make arrests despite the government's ban on the group being ruled unlawful by the High Court, and leading lawyers warning that any arrests would be unlawful", it added in a statement.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

The specific agreement made with ICE by the Mille Lacs sheriff appears to have been initially unlawful, according to an opinion from the Minnesota attorney general’s office included in the documents.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

The judge also ruled that the Pentagon’s closure of a special area reserved for Pentagon correspondents was unlawful and undermined the court’s previous order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“This is an unlawful assembly,” blared a voice from the chopper.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro