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Definition of unlawful

unlawful

/ʌnˈlɔː.fəl/
un · law · ful
Adverb:unlawfully
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unlawful Lexical Profile

unlawful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.

Example

"The court ruled that the company's sudden termination of the contract was unlawful."

2

Born to parents who are not married to each other (archaic or formal).

Example

"In the nineteenth-century novel, the estate was denied to the nobleman's unlawful heir."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for unlawful
Antonyms
View all antonyms for unlawful

Word Nuance & Usage

In legal contexts, 'unlawful' is slightly broader than 'illegal'; while 'illegal' strictly refers to actions expressly forbidden by statute, 'unlawful' also encompasses civil wrongs, torts, and actions not authorized by law.

• Rhymes for unlawful

• Nearby Words

unlamented
unlatch
unlaundered
unlawful
unlawfully
unlawfulness
unleaded

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English unlagu ('violation of law, injustice'), reinforced in Middle English by the prefix un- ('not') and lawful, which itself derives from Old Norse lög ('law').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unlawful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unlawful
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