UNLAWFULNESS Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

unlawfulness

noun

Definition of unlawfulness

as in illegality

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unlawfulness The appellate panel took issue with jury instructions that implied the mother's lack of consent could satisfy the unlawfulness element under the federal kidnapping statute. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 But in a court-martial, a service member who argues that an order is unlawful has the burden of proving its unlawfulness. — Joshua Kastenberg, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025 Many people at Harvard and elsewhere feared that the university would reach a deal with the Administration before Judge Burroughs’s decision, because that would have meant that no court would declare the unlawfulness of the Administration’s actions toward academic institutions. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlawfulness

Noun

The Founders never predicted that a president, his Cabinet, Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Congress would not challenge the blatant illegality that has been happening over the past two years.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
In an attempt to make the case against him, Pembrock commits a stunning act of illegality that would immediately have the case thrown out of court but at least provides the film a few moments of suspense.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of illegality

Noun

Van Houten ultimately determined the allegations did not warrant charges because of a lack of criminality.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
The Madlanga Commission, a judicial inquiry set up after a senior police commander alleged last year that criminality and political interference had penetrated the justice system, has now sat for more than 180 days.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminality

Noun

Men shouted abuse from car windows or tried to bribe him with money, drugs, even girlfriends.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
The department said ALPRs have led to the arrests of suspects in cases of homicide, theft, child abuse, burglary and among other crimes.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

Unfortunately, for the last two years, rather than just combating corruption and avoiding controversy, Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, has been up to his neck in both.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Maduro publicly accused the executives of corruption, while a senior official privately described their detention as a means of pressuring Washington, according to the indictment.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of corruption

Browse Nearby Words

unlawful

unlawfulness

unlay

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unlawfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlawfulness. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unlawfulness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nexus

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes