What does unlawfully mean?
Unlawfully means in a way that breaks the law or acts contrary to legal authority. It is the adverb formed from unlawful and is commonly used in legal, governmental, journalistic, and formal public contexts. For example, authorities may investigate whether a person entered a property unlawfully or whether evidence was unlawfully obtained. The word often carries a serious implication because it indicates conduct that is not merely discouraged but expressly prohibited by law. It is more specific and more formal than the general term illegally, although the two are frequently interchangeable. Understanding unlawfully is useful in legal reporting, policy discussion, and ordinary descriptions of conduct that violates established rules, while the related adjective unlawful describes the prohibited act or condition itself.
adverbIn a manner that is contrary to law or legal authority. It describes an action or conduct performed illegally.
- In violation of law or legal authority; illegally.
"The company was accused of unlawfully obtaining sensitive customer data."
"The defendant claimed that the documents had been unlawfully copied and distributed."
"Residents reported that the noise continued unlawfully after the official cutoff time."
Unlawfully turns the idea of breaking the law into a precise description of how an illegal act was carried out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How unlawfully is actually used
This is primarily a formal and legal-register word. It is especially common in official, judicial, journalistic, and policy contexts, and its use may imply a specific legal prohibition rather than merely an unconventional or rule-breaking action.
Easily confused with unlawfully
Unlawful is an adjective describing something that is contrary to law, whereas unlawfully is an adverb describing an action performed in that way.
Illegally is a broad synonym for acting against the law, while unlawfully often has a more formal or legal-register connotation.