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
On March 8, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and pro-Palestinian protester who graduated in December from Columbia University.
—
Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Two foreign nationals, including one with lawful permanent residency in the United States, have been indicted by a Wisconsin grand jury for attempting to smuggle U.S. military technology to China, including encrypted communications gear.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
Bashaw was found guilty of violating lawful orders related to COVID protocols, per the Army Times.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 29 May 2025
The complaint further alleges that Labrador-Sierra does not have lawful status to purchase, own or possess a gun in the United States.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
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Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Two foreign nationals, including one with lawful permanent residency in the United States, have been indicted by a Wisconsin grand jury for attempting to smuggle U.S. military technology to China, including encrypted communications gear.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
Bashaw was found guilty of violating lawful orders related to COVID protocols, per the Army Times.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 29 May 2025
The complaint further alleges that Labrador-Sierra does not have lawful status to purchase, own or possess a gun in the United States.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
Cite this Entry
“Lawful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawful. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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