Used in a Sentence

unlawful

How to use unlawful in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for unlawful.

Editorial note

If Manning had, say, only released extremely strong evidence of war crimes, I might agree that hiding that evidence was itself unlawful.

Examples8
Definitions5
Parts of speech1

Quick take

not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention; "an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices"

Meaning at a glance

The clearest senses and uses of unlawful gathered in one view.

adjective

not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention; "an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices"

adjective

contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law; "unlawful measures"; "unlawful money"; "unlawful hunters"

adjective

not morally right or permissible; "unlawful love"

Definitions

Core meanings and parts of speech for unlawful.

adjective

not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention; "an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices"

adjective

contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law; "unlawful measures"; "unlawful money"; "unlawful hunters"

adjective

not morally right or permissible; "unlawful love"

adjective

having no legally established claim; "the wrongful heir to the throne"

adjective

contrary to or forbidden by law; "an illegitimate seizure of power"; "illicit trade"; "an outlaw strike"; "unlawful measures"

Example sentences

1

If Manning had, say, only released extremely strong evidence of war crimes, I might agree that hiding that evidence was itself unlawful.

2

For exposing the estate’s unlawful business strategy, Klinger deserves a reward but asks only to break even.

3

These may have been unnecessarily classified, but were not unlawfully classified.

4

"it's entirely unacceptable to break into websites and commit unlawful acts"This is quite the hypocritical statement coming from the FBI.

5

You can of course vote however you please.#2 You are explicitly ordered not to obey unlawful orders and there is a process in place for refusing to follow an unlawful order.

6

The fourth amendment, protection against unlawful search and seizure, was put into the constitution as a direct consequence of the very laws that civil forfeiture was based upon.

7

People are more likely to develop habits concordant with deviant and unlawful lifestyles, to make connections with criminal networks, and to learn new criminal skills in prison than to learn how to function properly in the peaceful world outside.

8

Specifically, pursuant to this interpretation, an unauthorized intentional monitoring of a cellular phone call could be lawful should the content of the communication relate to vehicles or persons in distress, but unlawful otherwise.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.

How do you use unlawful in a sentence?

If Manning had, say, only released extremely strong evidence of war crimes, I might agree that hiding that evidence was itself unlawful.

What does unlawful mean?

not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention; "an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices"

What part of speech is unlawful?

unlawful is commonly used as adjective.