unlawful
Not legally permitted
Unlawful means contrary to or forbidden by law: unlawful entry, unlawful detention, unlawful use of a weapon.
The word is roughly synonymous with illegal but tends toward more formal or legal contexts.
Something unlawful violates statute or regulation; something merely wrong or unethical isn't unlawful unless the law prohibits it.
Prohibited trade goods
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- illicitProhibited by law
- forbiddenNot allowed
- interdictedProhibited by decree
unauthorized · unsanctioned · barred · embargoed · restricted · proscribed · taboo · verboten
Without legal right
- inequitableNot fair or impartial
- unfairUnjust or partial
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
- arbitraryBased on personal whim
oppressive · illegitimate · unconstitutional · unwarranted · improper · iniquitous · tyrannical · unjustified
Serious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- robberyTheft through intimidation
arson · vandalism · trespassing · assault · kidnapping · murder · homicide · manslaughter
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
extortion · graft · cronyism · malfeasance · profiteering · collusion · misconduct · scandal
Concealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- covertIntentionally concealed
secret · hidden · surreptitious · furtive · smuggled · trafficked · bootleg · moonshine
contraband
Prohibited trade goods
interdicted · unauthorized · unsanctioned · barred · embargoed · restricted · proscribed · taboo · verboten · unlicensed
wrongful
Without legal right
- inequitableNot fair or impartial
- unfairUnjust or partial
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
arbitrary · oppressive · illegitimate · unconstitutional · unwarranted · improper · iniquitous · tyrannical · unjustified · unconscionable
felony
Serious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
robbery · arson · vandalism · trespassing · assault · kidnapping · murder · homicide · manslaughter · shoplifting
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
nepotism · extortion · graft · cronyism · malfeasance · profiteering · collusion · misconduct · scandal · payola
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
covert · secret · hidden · surreptitious · furtive · smuggled · trafficked · bootleg · moonshine · speakeasy
- legal termstrial, appeal, lawsuit, verdict, guilty
- legality termslegitimate, valid, invalid, binding, void
- lawlawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys, court
- prohibitionsban, forbid, prohibition, forbidden, prohibit
- Islamic jurisprudenceijma, Sharia, sharia court, fatwa, fatwas
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
unlawfulauthorized
Given official permission
permitted · sanctioned · allowed · licensed · endorsed
- unlawful actionConduct violating legal codes
- unlawful assemblyIllegal group congregation
- unlawful arrestDetention lacking legal justification
- unlawful possessionCriminally holding prohibited items
- unlawful detentionIllegal restraint of freedom