adjective
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illegal
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illicit; immoral
unlawful love
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an archaic word for illegitimate
Related Words
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
Compare meaning
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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.
For the first time conditions have been imposed on speakers themselves, making organisers responsible if invited speakers cross into unlawful extremism or hate speech.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
Maya Forstater, chief executive of Sex Matters, previously said the Corporation's proposed policy "is simply unlawful".
From BBC • May 13, 2026
"Plaintiffs, conversely, can be made whole through refunds, including interest, if the tariffs are ultimately held unlawful and refundable," the government said.
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
A customs court in 1974 ruled that tariff unlawful, which prompted Congress to enact Section 122.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
No one knew with certainty what law they were breaking, but it seemed unlawful somehow.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
