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
Anyone who interferes with our lawful mission will be arrested.
—
Danielle Wallace , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
And in ruling after ruling, in case after case, on all kinds of points of law, Liman has upheld congestion pricing as lawful: New York State, through the MTA’s Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, has the legal power to impose the toll.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
These high-level employees often operate under unique contractual arrangements, have access to sensitive company information and may be terminated for reasons that blur the line between lawful discretion and unlawful motive.
—Jc Serrano, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Abbott was one of Biden's leading critics on the border during a period when the Border Patrol was registering more than 2 million migrant encounters a year – many of them lawful asylum-seekers.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lawful
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Danielle Wallace , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
And in ruling after ruling, in case after case, on all kinds of points of law, Liman has upheld congestion pricing as lawful: New York State, through the MTA’s Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, has the legal power to impose the toll.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
These high-level employees often operate under unique contractual arrangements, have access to sensitive company information and may be terminated for reasons that blur the line between lawful discretion and unlawful motive.
—Jc Serrano, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Abbott was one of Biden's leading critics on the border during a period when the Border Patrol was registering more than 2 million migrant encounters a year – many of them lawful asylum-seekers.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 6 July 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 22 Jul. 2025.
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