wrongful

adjective

ˈrȯŋ-fəl How to pronounce wrongful (audio)
Definition of wrongfulnext
as in unlawful
contrary to or forbidden by law charged with wrongful possession of narcotics

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wrongful The second would likely lead to errors and the wrongful discounting of people in the country with legal status. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 The series, directed by Phillipa Lowthorpe and also starring Joseph Fiennes, told the true story of Zaghari Ratfcliffe’s wrongful seven-year imprisonment in Iran and her husband’s subsequent fight for her release. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 The park settled one wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Two wrongful termination suits, argued by a couple of scrappy lawyers hoping to win a big enough settlement to launch their own firm? — Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrongful
  1. unlawful
  2. criminal
  3. illicit
  4. felonious
Adjective
  • The complaint seeks a declaration that DeWine’s executive order is unlawful.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Paporakis faces one felony count of making a terrorist threat and one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The charges include organized theft and criminal association, said Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Russell Brand has arrived to London’s Southwark Crown Court for the start of his criminal trial.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • From December 2024 to May 2025, the international law enforcement body Interpol conducted Operation Pangea XVII, in which authorities in 90 countries seized more than 50 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals.
    — Andrew Yockey, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Participants were also asked about their alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Joshua Shakur Leroy Cawthon, 18, was charged with one count of first-degree animal killing or torturing, one count of felonious assault, and one count of domestic violence.
    — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The two were sentenced in Michigan to one year of probation in December 2025, and pleaded guilty to felonious telecommunications fraud in Ohio in 2022.
    — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of felonious

Browse Nearby Words

wronged
wrongful
wrongfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Wrongful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrongful. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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