unlawfully

Unlawfully is an English adverb used to describe an action carried out in a manner that violates the law or lacks legal justification. It signals that the conduct was not authorized by law and is often used in legal or formal contexts.

Formation and sense: The word is formed from the adjective lawful with the prefix un- (not) and the adverbial suffix -ly. It emphasizes the manner of conduct rather than merely labeling the act as prohibited.

Usage and nuance: It is commonly found in legal writing, court decisions, and journalism to indicate that an act was performed without legal authority or in violation of statutory or common-law rules. The term tends to be more formal and legalistic than illegally, and it is distinct from unlawful as an adjective, which describes the status of the act rather than the manner in which it was carried out.

Examples: The suspect was unlawfully detained by police. The company was accused of unlawfully withholding wages. The act was deemed unlawfully carried out.

See also: illegal, unlawful, unlawfulness, law.