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. Diane Yentel:

   There is a tremendous power imbalance in our housing system that tilts heavily in favor of landlords at the expense of low-income and other marginalized renters, putting families at greater risk of housing instability and homelessness and fueling racial inequity. one unfortunate omission from the White House Blueprint is any administrative action to hold corporate landlords accountable for egregious, predatory and often unlawful behavior during and since the pandemic.

2. Kwame Raoul:

   After receiving the request from Joliet's mayor and city officials, my office began a preliminary review of Joliet Police Department records and other information, it is clear that a formal investigation is needed to look at whether the department has engaged in patterns or practices of unlawful or unconstitutional policing.

3. Jaimie Ross:

   Folks are living in unlawful spaces that don't meet code, unsafe spaces, and they have been doing it because they want to be there and it's the only way they can afford to be there.

4. Benjamin Crump:

   This was no accident. This was an intentional, deliberate, and unlawful use of force, driving while Black continues to result in a death sentence.

5. Kwame Raoul:

   It is clear that a formal investigation is needed to look at whether the department has engaged in patterns or practices of unlawful or unconstitutional policing.