adjective
Uncommon
unlawful
Unlawful (adjective) means Against the law; not legally permitted. Example: “It is unlawful to drive without a valid licence.”
adjective
1
Against the law; not legally permitted.
"That year a U.S. appeals court found the program Snowden had exposed was unlawful and that the U.S. intelligence leaders who publicly defended it were not telling the truth."
— , Putin grants Russian citizenship to U.S. whistleblower Snowden (2022)
"He was charged with unlawful use of a car."
"It is unlawful to drive without a valid licence."
"Entering the building without permission is unlawful, so please wait outside."
"The judge ruled that the worker's dismissal had been unlawful."
How to use unlawful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIllegal — not allowed under the law.
Common mistake
"Unlawful" and "illegal" mean almost the same thing, but "unlawful" is often used in formal or civil contexts (contracts, torts), while "illegal" is used more for criminal matters.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
unlawful act
unlawful arrest
unlawful killing
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unlawful
- Superlative
- most unlawful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It is _____ to drive without a valid licence.
Etymology
From "un-" + "lawful."
Synonyms
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illegal
illicit
criminal
prohibited
against the law
illegitimate
wrongful
improper
unconventional
outlawed
outlaw
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unlawful
See all rhymes for unlawful →Frequently asked questions
What does “unlawful” mean?
The word “unlawful” means against the law; not legally permitted. In plain terms, illegal — not allowed under the law.
How do you use “unlawful” in a sentence?
Here is “unlawful” used in a sentence: “It is unlawful to drive without a valid licence.”
What is the opposite of “unlawful”?
The opposite of “unlawful” — its antonyms — is lawful.
What part of speech is “unlawful”?
“Unlawful” is an adjective.
Is “unlawful” a common word?
“Unlawful” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between unlawful and illegal?
Unlawful and illegal both mean against the law, and in most everyday contexts they are used interchangeably. Unlawful sometimes appears in more formal or legal writing, such as unlawful entry or unlawful detention, while illegal is more common in general speech.
What is the difference between unlawful and criminal?
Unlawful simply means not legally permitted and can apply to civil violations as well as more serious offences. Criminal specifically refers to conduct that is prosecuted under criminal law and can result in punishment such as fines or imprisonment, making it a narrower category.
Is unlawful a formal word?
Unlawful tends to appear more often in legal, official, or formal contexts than in casual conversation, where illegal is more commonly used. It is frequently seen in legal documents, statutes, and court rulings.
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