Definition

1. 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

1. contrary to or forbidden by law
   • an illegitimate seizure of power
   • illicit trade
   • an outlaw strike
   • unlawful measures
2. having no legally established claim
   • the wrongful heir to the throne
3. not morally right or permissible
   • unlawful love
4. contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law
   • unlawful measures
   • unlawful money
   • unlawful hunters
5. not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention
   • an unconventional marriage
   • improper banking practices