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Showing results for lawful. Search instead for lawfu.
Definitions

lawful

[law-fuhl] / ˈlɔ fəl /
ADJECTIVE
allowable, legitimate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
authorized constitutional justifiable legal permissible proper rightful statutory valid
WEAK
bona fide canonical card-carrying commanded condign decreed due enacted enforced enjoined established innocent judged judicial jural juridical jurisprudent just kosher legalized legislated legit legitimatized licit mandated of right official on the level on the up and up ordained ordered passed protected ruled vested warrantable warranted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate incorrect unacceptable wrong
WEAK
illicit prohibited taboo unlawful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Compliance with a lawful order of a court is not optional; it is required in a democracy committed to the rule of law.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“There are lawful ways to express concerns, but failing to meet tax obligations can lead to significant legal and financial consequences.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Soleimani Afshar and Hosseiny had their lawful permanent resident status in the United States revoked, Rubio said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The Martin County Sheriff's Office said the 15-time major champion had also been charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Men, women, and children were in the fields at their lawful labor, plowing, weeding, sowing, where they would remain till dusk.

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi