unlawful

USAGE SUMMARY

'unlawful' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is illegal or forbidden by law. For example, "It is unlawful to drive above the speed limit on this stretch of road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gray was chased and subjected to an arrest declared unlawful by the city's top prosecutor.

The Guardian

Commenting on the JCHR report, the director of the Prison Reform Trust, Juliet Lyon, said: "More than 10 years ago, the ECHR first ruled that the UK's blanket and indiscriminate ban on sentenced prisoners' voting was unlawful.

The Guardian

It involved Poole council and its unlawful surveillance operation on Jenny Paton and her three children.

The Guardian

And within the past few weeks, Peruvian security forces have launched an unprecedented operation to destroy the unlawful gold-mining dredgers that are now killing off river habitats by pumping up river-silt.

The Guardian

In the past 15 years it has worked on 120 cases of mistreatment and prompted 655 unlawful decisions to be annulled, organisers say.

The Guardian

"Pakistan's government is tarnishing the country's well-deserved reputation for hospitality toward refugees by tolerating the punitive and potentially unlawful coercive repatriation of Afghan refugees," said HRW's deputy Asia director, Phelim Kine.

The Guardian

What are they waiting for?" Despite such apparent evidence, the fact that lawsuits were brought against the police for assault, unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution, and that South Yorkshire police – the force at the centre of the Hillsborough disaster cover-up – later agreed to pay nearly £500,000 in compensation to 39 miners, campaigners are concerned over the lack of progress.

The Guardian

Lawyers have written to London's mayor threatening legal action after he sanctioned the construction of "unlawful" fences around the square, which campaigners claim are a deliberate attempt to stop them protesting peacefully.

The Guardian

Insp Douglas Lovelock, the marksman who shot her, stood trial in 1987 charged with inflicting unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm and was acquitted.

The Guardian

Two inquest verdicts have found that neglect contributed to detainees' deaths and one inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing of a detainee.

The Guardian - Opinion

The supreme court ruled in March that the government's attempt to block the letters' release was unlawful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, clarify which specific law or regulation is being violated to provide context and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "unlawful" when you mean "unethical". "Unlawful" specifically refers to violations of the law, whereas "unethical" describes actions that violate moral principles but aren't necessarily illegal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unlawful" is as an adjective used to describe something that is not allowed by law. Ludwig AI confirms this as it consistently appears modifying nouns in the provided examples. It indicates a prohibition or contravention of legal statutes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unlawful" functions as an adjective describing something prohibited by law. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread application across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. Related terms include "illegal", "illicit", and "illegitimate", each with slightly different connotations. When using "unlawful", ensure it accurately reflects a violation of legal statutes rather than merely an ethical breach. Avoid confusing it with similar terms such as "unethical". By understanding its precise meaning and context, you can effectively communicate legal concepts in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegal

Denotes a direct contravention of established laws or statutes.

illicit

Implies moral disapproval or social condemnation in addition to legal prohibition.

illegitimate

Suggests a lack of proper authorization or justification, often in the context of authority or power.

wrongful

Highlights the injustice or harm caused by the action, beyond its legal status.

prohibited

Emphasizes the formal ban or interdiction placed on the activity.

criminal

Specifically relates to actions punishable under criminal law.

outlawed

Indicates that something has been officially forbidden by law.

unauthorized

Refers to actions taken without the necessary permission or consent.

contrary to law

Directly states the opposition to existing legal principles.

against the law

A more colloquial way of saying that something is not legally permissible.

FAQs

How can I use "unlawful" in a sentence?

You can use "unlawful" to describe actions or situations that are against the law. For instance, "The police deemed the gathering an "unlawful assembly"" or "The company was charged with "unlawful business practices"".

What are some synonyms for "unlawful"?

Synonyms for "unlawful" include "illegal", "illicit", "illegitimate", and "wrongful". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "unlawful" and "illegal"?

While "unlawful" and "illegal" are often used interchangeably, "unlawful" can sometimes refer to actions that don't strictly violate criminal statutes but are still not permitted by law, whereas "illegal" typically implies a direct violation of criminal law.

What's the difference between "unlawful" and "unethical"?

"Unlawful" refers to something that is against the law, while "unethical" refers to something that violates moral principles. An action can be unethical without being unlawful, and vice versa.