adjective
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illegal
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illicit; immoral
unlawful love
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an archaic word for illegitimate
Synonym Usage
See illegal.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unlawful
First recorded in 1250–1300, unlawful is from the Middle English word unlaweful. See un- 1, lawful
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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.
Prosecutors contend that misrepresenting their identities while beginning the voting process was itself unlawful.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2026
Wednesday's filing in Utah's Third Judicial District Court charges KalshiEX LLC with a pattern of unlawful activity, along with 12 counts of online gambling promotion, and one misdemeanor count of gambling promotion.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
Eyyub said last year he considered the sanctions to be baseless, and that he had done nothing unlawful.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
Last month, the seizure was ruled unlawful by the California Supreme Court.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
“Well, for one thing, you’re not supposed to enter our house. It’s unlawful entry, and you might get into trouble.”
From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
