adj
Uncommon
wrongful
RONG-fuhl
Wrongful (adj) means Unjust or unlawful. Example: “The family sued the hospital for wrongful death.”
adj
1
Unjust or unlawful.
"The family sued the hospital for wrongful death."
How to use wrongful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot fair or not legal — often used in legal phrases.
When to use it
Mostly used in legal or formal contexts, rarely in casual speech.
Common pairings
wrongful death
wrongful termination
wrongful arrest
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wrongful
- Superlative
- most wrongful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The family sued the hospital for _____ death.
Etymology
From Middle English wrongful, equivalent to wrong + -ful.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wrongful” mean?
The word “wrongful” means unjust or unlawful. In plain terms, not fair or not legal — often used in legal phrases.
How do you pronounce “wrongful”?
“Wrongful” is pronounced RONG-fuhl (/ˈɹɒŋfəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrongful” in a sentence?
Here is “wrongful” used in a sentence: “The family sued the hospital for wrongful death.”
What part of speech is “wrongful”?
“Wrongful” is an adjective.
Is “wrongful” a common word?
“Wrongful” is an uncommon word in modern English.
