unlawful
/'ʌn'lɔ:ful/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Contrary to or forbidden by law: Describes actions, activities, or situations that violate established laws or legal statutes.
- Not morally right or permissible: Refers to actions that are considered wrong or unacceptable according to ethical or social standards, even if not strictly illegal.
- Having no legally established claim: Indicates a lack of legal right or entitlement to something.
- Not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention: Describes something that goes against legal, ethical, or customary norms.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The court ruled the search was unlawful and violated his rights.
- They were involved in the unlawful dumping of toxic waste.
- He was considered the unlawful heir, as the will was contested.
- Their relationship was considered unlawful by the strict social conventions of the time.
Advanced Usage
- "unlawful assembly": A gathering of people with the intent to commit a violent crime or that causes reasonable fear of disturbance.
- The protest was declared an unlawful assembly and was dispersed by the police.
- "unlawful combatant": A person who engages in hostilities without being entitled to the legal protections afforded to lawful combatants (e.g., prisoners of war).
- The detainee was classified as an unlawful combatant.
- "unlawful detention": The act of confining a person without legal authority or justification.
- The lawsuit alleged unlawful detention by the security officers.
Variants and Related Words
- Unlawfully (adverb): In a manner that is against the law.
- He was accused of entering the country unlawfully.
- Unlawfulness (noun): The state or quality of being illegal or forbidden by law.
- The unlawfulness of the act was clear to everyone.
Synonyms
- Illegal: Forbidden by law.
- Illicit: Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
- Wrongful: Characterized by unfairness or injustice; unlawful.
- Criminal: Involving or constituting a crime.
Antonyms
- Lawful: Conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law.
- Legal: Relating to, permitted by, or based on law.
- Legitimate: Conforming to the law or to rules; valid.
Related Phrases
- "unlawful act": An action that is illegal.
- Committing an unlawful act can lead to prosecution.
- "deemed unlawful": Considered or judged to be illegal.
- The contract was deemed unlawful by the regulator.
Adjective
- contrary to or forbidden by law
- an illegitimate seizure of power
- illicit trade
- an outlaw strike
- unlawful measures
- having no legally established claim
- the wrongful heir to the throne
- not morally right or permissible
- unlawful love
- contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law
- unlawful measures
- unlawful money
- unlawful hunters
- not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention
- an unconventional marriage
- improper banking practices