lawful

adjective

ˈlȯ-fəl How to pronounce lawful (audio)
Definition of lawfulnext
as in legitimate
permitted by law hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word lawful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of lawful are legal, legitimate, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

When would legal be a good substitute for lawful?

The meanings of legal and lawful largely overlap; however, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

In what contexts can legitimate take the place of lawful?

The words legitimate and lawful can be used in similar contexts, but legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

Where would licit be a reasonable alternative to lawful?

While in some cases nearly identical to lawful, licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lawful The order also denies citizenship to children whose mothers are temporarily in the United States, including those visiting under the Visa Waiver Program or as tourists, or who are students and whose fathers are not citizens or lawful permanent residents. —Daniella Silva, NBC news, 11 July 2025 The nation’s highest court found Trump’s February executive order, directing federal agencies to brace for RIFs, was likely to be lawful. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 11 July 2025 Lawmakers have been trying to codify a path to lawful permanent resident status for DACA recipients and TPS holders since 2017. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 10 July 2025 Anyone who interferes with our lawful mission will be arrested. —Danielle Wallace , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lawful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawful
  1. legitimate
  2. legal
Adjective
  • That decision prompted a Title IX lawsuit filed by five volleyball players and the team’s head coach, alleging the school was disguising a club activity as a legitimate varsity sport to artificially inflate its female participation numbers.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
  • Even legitimate payment flows from emerging markets are frequently flagged for investigation under the guise of compliance, slowing their transfer.
    — Wale Ayeni, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of legitimate
Adjective
  • As machine learning systems become capable of astonishing feats—drafting legal briefs, diagnosing diseases, predicting consumer churn—our natural tendency is to trust them.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • The restoration follows several efforts by the Trump administration to end legal protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including more than 200,000 Haitians who entered the U.S. under a Biden-era humanitarian parole program.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 July 2025
Definition of legal

Browse Nearby Words

lawbreakings
lawful
lawfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawful. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of lawful for Spanish Speakers

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