What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wrongful
Example
The company was sued for wrongful termination of an employee. [wrongful: adjective]
Example
He was convicted of wrongful death in the court of law. [wrongful: noun]
unlawful
Example
It is unlawful to drive without a license. [unlawful: adjective]
Example
The police arrested him for unlawful possession of drugs. [unlawful: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unlawful is more commonly used than wrongful in everyday language. Unlawful is a legal term that is used in various contexts, while wrongful is less common and is mostly used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wrongful and unlawful?
Both wrongful and unlawful are formal words that are used in legal or official contexts. However, unlawful is more commonly used in legal contexts, while wrongful is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
