unlawful
gb/ʌnlˈɔfəl/ us/ʌnlˈɔfəl/
B2
英语
~ 6900
义项
0 个义项
adjective
formal
B2
property
1
contrary to the law; illegal
Not allowed by the law; illegal.
用法模式：
unlawful [act/behavior/thing]
常见错误：
Learners often use "unlawful" in everyday conversation where "illegal" is more natural (e.g., saying "That is unlawful" about small rule-breaking in casual talk). "Unlawful" is mainly used in legal or formal writing. Also, some learners confuse "unlawful" (against the law) with "immoral" (against moral rules but not always against the law).
近义词
illegal (Most common general word; slightly less formal than "unlawful" and used in everyday speech.)
|
illicit (Often used for things that are forbidden and secret, such as illicit drugs or illicit trade; slightly more emotional.)
|
criminal (Stresses that the act is a crime punishable under criminal law, not just against regulations.)
反义词
lawful (Formal opposite; emphasizes being in accordance with the law.)
|
legal (Common opposite; means allowed by law or related to the law.)
搭配
unlawful act
|unlawful behavior
|unlawful killing
|unlawful discrimination
|unlawful possession
|unlawful assembly
主题
law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
例句
- The company was fined for engaging in unlawful price-fixing.
- He was arrested for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
- The court ruled that the new tax had been collected in an unlawful manner.
- Protesters condemned the government’s unlawful use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
- They filed a lawsuit claiming the landlord’s actions were unlawful under housing law.
学习者例句
- The police said the sale of these drugs was unlawful.
- She lost her job after taking part in an unlawful protest.
- The judge called his actions unlawful and dangerous.
- It is unlawful to drive a car without insurance in many countries.
- They were punished for their unlawful use of company money.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
not legally authorized, especially by state
Done by a government or official without the right given by law.
用法模式：
unlawful [detention/arrest/search/action]
常见错误：
Learners sometimes do not see the difference between unlawful actions by private people and unlawful actions by the state. This sense is usually used for actions by the government, police, or other authorities that are not permitted by law, for example "unlawful detention" or "unlawful arrest".
近义词
illegal (General term; in this context it also means that the official action is not permitted by law.)
|
unconstitutional (Used when the action violates a country’s constitution specifically, not just ordinary laws.)
|
illegitimate (Emphasizes lack of lawful or recognized authority, not only technical legal rules.)
反义词
lawful (Stresses that the authority clearly exists in law for the action.)
|
legitimate (Suggests both legal correctness and generally accepted right to act.)
搭配
unlawful detention
|unlawful arrest
|unlawful search
|unlawful imprisonment
|unlawful use of force
主题
law
|human_rights
|politics
|core_vocabulary
例句
- The court found that his detention had been unlawful and ordered his immediate release.
- Civil rights groups accused the police of conducting unlawful searches of protesters’ homes.
- The tribunal ruled that the government’s surveillance program was an unlawful interference with privacy.
- She is suing the state for unlawful dismissal and loss of income.
- The investigation concluded that the officers had used unlawful force during the arrest.
学习者例句
- The judge said the man’s arrest was unlawful.
- They complained about the unlawful detention of political activists.
- The court decided that the search of the house was unlawful.
- He asked for money from the state after his unlawful imprisonment.
- The report says there was unlawful use of force by the army.
语法
词典原形
unlawful
IPA
GB/ʌnlˈɔfəl/
US/ʌnlˈɔfəl/
音节与重音
un - law - ful （3 个音节）
Stress on 2nd syllable (law)
词形变化
Adjective
- Base: unlawful
词族
相关表达
unlawful arrest
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl ɚˈɛst/
fixed phrase
formal
arrest made without legal basis
When the police or another authority take someone into custody without having the legal reason or power to do it.
例句
- She is suing the police for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment.
- The court ruled that his unlawful arrest violated his basic rights.
unlawful assembly
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl əsˈɛmbli/
fixed phrase
formal
illegally gathered crowd or protest
A group of people meeting in public in a way that the law does not allow, often because it may cause violence or disturb peace.
例句
- Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered the crowd to disperse.
- Several people were charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly.
unlawful detention
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl dɪtˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
holding someone without legal authority
Keeping a person in prison, a cell, or another place when the law does not give the right to do this.
例句
- The activists filed a complaint over their unlawful detention by the police.
- He received compensation after a court ruled his detention was unlawful.
unlawful entry
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl ˈɛntɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
entering property or country illegally
Going into a building, land, or country when the law does not allow you to enter.
例句
- The suspect faces charges of unlawful entry and vandalism.
- They were detained for unlawful entry into the country.
unlawful killing
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl kˈɪlɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
killing that is not legally justified
The act of killing someone when the law does not allow it, and when it is not self-defense or another legal reason.
例句
- The inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing.
- The report concluded that the victim died as a result of unlawful killing by security forces.
unlawful possession
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl pəzˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
illegally having a banned item
Having or holding something, such as a gun or drugs, when the law says you are not allowed to have it.
例句
- He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Unlawful possession of controlled substances can lead to imprisonment.
unlawful search and seizure
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl sˈɚt͡ʃ ˈænd sˈiʒɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
illegal search of person or property
When the police or government search a person or place, or take property, without the legal right to do so.
例句
- The lawsuit accuses the officers of unlawful search and seizure.
- The evidence was thrown out because it was obtained through unlawful search and seizure.
unlawful discrimination
1/ʌnlˈɔfəl dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
discrimination forbidden by law
Discrimination against a person or group that is not allowed by law, usually because of things like race, sex, age, disability, or religion.
例句
- The company was found guilty of unlawful discrimination against older workers.
- New rules aim to prevent unlawful discrimination in access to housing.
unlawful discrimination
2/ʌnlˈɔfəl dɪskɹˌɪmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
discrimination forbidden by law
Discrimination that the law says is not allowed.
例句
- Training helps staff avoid unlawful discrimination.
- They allege unlawful discrimination under state law.