unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl 
1
: not lawful : illegal
2
: not morally right or conventional
Synonyms
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
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
—
Kansas City Star, 4 June 2024
President Joe Biden on Tuesday temporarily blocked most asylum-seeking at the U.S. southern border, announcing an executive action that prevents migrants from staying in the United States when unlawful immigration surges.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 4 June 2024
But according to the city’s April unlawful detainer filed in Contra Costa Superior Court, the Browns’ history of rent troubles date back to before the pandemic, when the two parties agreed on a payment plan for unpaid rent in 2018 and 2019.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024
All that came tumbling down in August 2022, when at the start of his fifth term in office Martinez was taken into custody and charged with single counts of unlawful compensation and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlawful 
Kansas City Star, 4 June 2024
President Joe Biden on Tuesday temporarily blocked most asylum-seeking at the U.S. southern border, announcing an executive action that prevents migrants from staying in the United States when unlawful immigration surges.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 4 June 2024
But according to the city’s April unlawful detainer filed in Contra Costa Superior Court, the Browns’ history of rent troubles date back to before the pandemic, when the two parties agreed on a payment plan for unpaid rent in 2018 and 2019.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024
All that came tumbling down in August 2022, when at the start of his fifth term in office Martinez was taken into custody and charged with single counts of unlawful compensation and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlawful
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Dictionary Entries Near unlawful
Cite this Entry
“Unlawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlawful. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlawful
adjective
un·law·ful
ˌən-ˈlȯ-fəl
ˈən-
: not lawful : being against the law : illegal
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