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
A veteran investigative journalist, Oleg Roldugin, was arrested and charged with "unlawful access to computerised information".
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Charged with "unlawful access to computerised information", he pleaded not guilty, according to state media, and is under house arrest pending trial.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
They also argued that AB 3233 is itself unlawful and does not give the city authority over oil operations governed by state and federal law.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
Under the regulations, a federally funded law enforcement program or activity is unlawful if it has a racially discriminatory impact and if that impact cannot be justified by law enforcement necessity.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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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.
