Synonyms for unlawful
ʌnˈlɔ fəlun·law·ful

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. unlawful

   Every criminal act is illegal or unlawful, but illegal or unlawful acts may not be criminal. Offenses against public law are criminal; offenses against private rights are merely illegal or unlawful. As a general rule, all acts punishable by fine or imprisonment or both, are criminal in view of the law. It is illegal for a man to trespass on another's land, but it is not criminal; the trespasser is liable to a civil suit for damages, but not to indictment, fine, or imprisonment. A felonious act is a criminal act of an aggravated kind, which is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary or by death. A flagitious crime is one that brings public odium. Vicious refers to the indulgence of evil appetites, habits, or passions; vicious acts are not necessarily criminal, or even illegal; we speak of a vicious horse. That which is iniquitous, i. e., contrary to equity, may sometimes be done under the forms of law. Ingratitude is sinful, hypocrisy is wicked, but neither is punishable by human law; hence, neither is criminal or illegal. Compare SIN.

   Synonyms:
   abominable, criminal, culpable, felonious, flagitious, guilty, illegal, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, sinful, vicious, vile, wicked, wrong

   Antonyms:
   innocent, just, lawful, legal, meritorious, moral, right, virtuous

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. improper, unconventional, unlawfuladjective

   not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention

   "an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices"

   Synonyms:
   wrongful, illicit, outlaw(a), improper, outlawed, wrong, unconventional, illegitimate

   Antonyms:
   law-abiding, legitimate, regular, licit, lawful, observant, legal

2. unlawfuladjective

   contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law

   "unlawful measures"; "unlawful money"; "unlawful hunters"

   Synonyms:
   illegitimate, illicit, outlaw(a), wrongful, improper, unconventional, outlawed

   Antonyms:
   law-abiding, licit, observant, regular, legal, lawful, legitimate

3. unlawfuladjective

   not morally right or permissible

   "unlawful love"

   Synonyms:
   illegitimate, illicit, outlaw(a), wrongful, improper, unconventional, outlawed

   Antonyms:
   legal, legitimate, observant, law-abiding, lawful, licit, regular

4. unlawful, wrongfuladjective

   having no legally established claim

   "the wrongful heir to the throne"

   Synonyms:
   illicit, outlaw(a), improper, outlawed, wrongful, unconventional, illegitimate

   Antonyms:
   licit, regular, law-abiding, observant, lawful, legitimate, legal

5. illegitimate, illicit, outlaw(a), outlawed, unlawfuladjective

   contrary to or forbidden by law

   "an illegitimate seizure of power"; "illicit trade"; "an outlaw strike"; "unlawful measures"

   Antonyms:
   legitimate, lawful, licit, law-abiding, legal, regular, observant

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. unlawfuladjective

   Synonyms:
   illegal, illicit, unlicensed

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. unlawfuladjective

   Synonyms:
   illegal, illicit, contraband, illegitimate, unlicensed

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:5.0 / 1 vote

1. List of paraphrases for "unlawful":

   illegal, illicit, wrongful, illegitimate, illegally, irregular, unlawfully, unauthorised, law-breaking

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How to use unlawful in a sentence?

1. Gascon Campaign co-chair Kathy Cady:

   We remain confident that the Recall will qualify for the ballot. Gascon’s policies violate the law. He is an abysmal leader with 98% of prosecutors voting to support the recall. His unlawful hiring and promotion actions will result in millions of dollars to settle lawsuits.

2. Rex Tillerson:

   Past efforts have failed to halt North Korea's unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests, with each provocation, North Korea jeopardizes stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our allies and the U.S. homeland.

3. Ken Paxton:

   The decision to openly violate state law and devote district resources to defending Superintendent Martinez's unlawful actions is irresponsible, but if school districts decide to use their limited funding to try to get away with breaking the law, my office will oppose them and uphold the rule of law in Texas.

4. Mike Pompeo:

   Any PRC action to harass other states' fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters -- or to carry out such activities unilaterally -- is unlawful.

5. Barbara Arnwine:

   A very important part of the lexicon of civil rights law is that you cannot create a hostile environment where you make it so people of different races or religions or women feel they can't function at your institution without being subjected to unlawful discrimination.