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What is another word for Unlawful? – 299 Unlawful Synonyms

    Need another word for Unlawful? Use these synonyms of Unlawful from our thesaurus to say it differently.


    Synonyms & Similar Words

    illegal illicit unlawful illegitimate unauthorized unlicensed criminal wrongful unjust improper inappropriate irregular unorthodox illegual lawless reckless wanton deliberate intentional conscious willful knowing deliberate felonious nefarious reprehensible culpable blameworthy guilty culpable wicked vile heinous atrocious flagrant egregious outrageous scandalous shameful iniquitous corrupt venal depraved degenerate perverted immoral unethical unprincipled unscrupulous dishonest fraudulent deceptive false spurious forged counterfeit fake bogus unlawful illicit contraband prohibited forbidden banned taboo proscribed unauthorized unapproved unsanctioned illegitimate invalid null void unlawful wrongful tortious injurious harmful damaging destructive calamitous disastrous catastrophic cataclysmic

    Meaning of Unlawful

    The primary meaning of the word "unlawful" is contrary to or forbidden by law.

    Definitions

    • Contrary to or forbidden by law
    • Not legally recognized or sanctioned
    • Contrary to the rules or conventions of a particular activity or context

    Etymology of Unlawful

    The word "unlawful" has its roots in Old English and Germanic languages, with "un-" being a prefix meaning "not" or "opposite of", and "lawful" coming from Old English "lagu" meaning law, and the suffix "-ful" meaning full of or characterized by
    Historically, the term has been used to describe actions or behaviors that are contrary to the laws or rules of a particular society or institution

    Example Uses

    • The company was fined for engaging in unlawful business practices
    • The unlawful detention of the suspect was a clear violation of their human rights
    • The government has vowed to crack down on unlawful activities in the city

    Antonyms & Near Antonyms

    lawful legal legitimate authorized licensed permissible allowed approved sanctioned legitimate justified warranted reasonable proper fitting suitable acceptable tolerable lawful rightful just fair equitable impartial unbiased neutral legitimate valid genuine authentic bona fide official authorized sanctioned approved endorsed ratified confirmed validated verified certified lawful licit permissible allowable admissible justifiable excusable defensible vindicable acquittable exculpable

    Related Nouns

    crime offense violation infringement transgression misdeed wrongdoing illegality unlawfulness lawlessness criminality delinquency misconduct misbehavior impropriety irregularity anomaly aberration exception deviation variance discrepancy inconsistency contradiction incongruity incompatibility irreconcilability unlawfulness illegitimacy invalidity nullity voidness contraband prohibition ban taboo proscription illegality criminality lawlessness chaos anarchy disorder turbulence turmoil upheaval unrest disturbance commotion riot rebellion insurgency sedition mutiny treason

    Related Verbs

    violate infringe transgress offend disobey defy break contravene breach trespass encroach invade intrude trespass poach pilfer plunder loot steal rob burglarize hijack kidnap abduct extort blackmail coerce intimidate threaten menace violate desecrate profane defile pollute corrupt contaminate taint spoil mar impair damage harm hurt injure wound maim disable cripple destroy demolish annihilate eradicate exterminate expunge eliminate

    Related Adjectives

    illegal illicit unlawful illegitimate unauthorized unlicensed criminal wrongful unjust improper inappropriate irregular unorthodox illegual lawless reckless wanton deliberate intentional conscious willful knowing deliberate felonious nefarious reprehensible culpable blameworthy guilty culpable wicked vile heinous atrocious flagrant egregious outrageous scandalous shameful iniquitous corrupt venal depraved degenerate perverted immoral unethical unprincipled unscrupulous dishonest fraudulent deceptive