1
a
: being in harmony with the law
a lawful judgment
b
: constituted, authorized, or established by law : rightful
lawful institutions
2
: law-abiding
lawful citizens
Examples of lawful in a Sentence
a lawful search of the property
hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump’s instructions would stop the granting of automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to mothers who are not legally in the country, unless their father was a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
—
Brian Bennett, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
In general, this executive order declares the end of birthright citizenship in circumstances where an individual is born within the United States, but neither of the parents of such child are lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens.
—Darren T. Case, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Conservatives say Big Tech colluded with Democrats Multiple lawsuits have accused the Biden administration of leaning on social media platforms to take down lawful speech about the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump has directed federal agencies to identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available to them to facilitate the production, transportation, refining and generation of domestic energy sources.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
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Brian Bennett, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
In general, this executive order declares the end of birthright citizenship in circumstances where an individual is born within the United States, but neither of the parents of such child are lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens.
—Darren T. Case, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Conservatives say Big Tech colluded with Democrats Multiple lawsuits have accused the Biden administration of leaning on social media platforms to take down lawful speech about the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump has directed federal agencies to identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available to them to facilitate the production, transportation, refining and generation of domestic energy sources.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lawful
Dictionary Entries Near lawful
Cite this Entry
“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawful. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
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