unlawful

[US]/ʌn'lɔːfʊl/
[UK]/ʌn'lɔfl/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. not lawful; illegal; against the law.

Phrases & Collocations

unlawful possession

Example Sentences

the use of unlawful violence.

the unlawful traffic in drugs

there is some confusion between ‘unlawful’ and ‘illegal’.

a verdict of unlawful killing

It isn't unlawful, but it's morally wrong.

This business is a cover for unlawful activity.

He was arrested for the unlawful possession of fire arms.

It is unjust and unlawful to discriminate against people of other races.

It is unlawful for factories to emit black smoke into the air.

He claimed damages for unlawful eviction.

He was convicted of having unlawful sex with an underage girl.

Three separate chapters take you step-by-step through the unlawful detainer process.

There are two stages and reasons to be abused on unlawful cause prestation.

"You should stop prying; you know, it's unlawful to read other people's letters!"

The lawyer was disbarred from practice when he was round guilty of unlawful acts.

Real-world Examples

Prosecutors charged the couple with unlawful use of a weapon.

Source: VOA Standard English_Americas

He didn't do anything unlawful. He's not aware of any other unlawful activity.

Source: NPR News May 2019 Compilation

Mr Jennings accuses them of unlawful arrest.

Source: BBC Listening Collection September 2022

“We unreservedly condemn dangerous, reckless, or unlawful behavior by all participants.”

Source: VOA Standard January 2014 Collection

Affirmative action is a set of policies meant to end unlawful discrimination.

Source: VOA Slow English - America

They had been convicted in 2008 of rape, murder and unlawful assembly.

Source: VOA Daily Standard September 2022 Collection

The unlawful killings are a particularly contentious chapter in Colombia's recent history.

Source: New York Times

But the finding of unlawful killing means British prosecutors are now under pressure.

Source: NPR News April 2016 Collection

Another is for the unlawful removal or concealment or destruction of federal records.

Source: NPR News August 2022 Compilation

Iran called for the removal of what it called unlawful and inhumane sanctions.

Source: BBC Listening Collection November 2021

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