unlawfully

Everyday

Unlawfully means in a way that is against the law. tree →

In the lessons

Used in news, law and history: «unlawfully killed», «unlawfully detained», «entered the country unlawfully». It tells the reader that an action broke the law.

Examples

• The man was arrested for unlawfully entering the building. tree →
• The court said the workers had been unlawfully dismissed. tree →
• Taking someone's bike without asking is acting unlawfully. tree →
• The prisoner claimed he was held unlawfully. tree →
• The land had been taken unlawfully many years ago. tree →
• The company unlawfully dumped waste in the river. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday speech says «illegally». Opposite: «lawfully», «legally». «Unlawfully» means against the law; «unfairly» means not fair but may still be legal.

In Jewish tradition

In Ezekiel it means wrongly and against God's law, as in cheating foreigners who live among the people.

Interpretation. The Torah repeatedly commands care for the stranger. Tradition reads this verse as showing how far the people strayed from that law.

Examples

• The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have wronged the poor and needy, and have oppressed the stranger unlawfully. (Prophets EZK.22.29, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; everyday speech says «illegally». Opposite: «lawfully», «legally». «Unlawfully» means against the law; «unfairly» means not fair but may still be legal.