lawful
/ˈlɔːfʊl
/ /ˈlɔːf(ə)l/adjective
1Conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules: it is an offence to carry a weapon in public without lawful authority...
- Silence or mere lack of objection does not constitute a lawful waiver.
- The first question is whether the detention is lawful under domestic law.
- In such cases, it will be easier to establish that the detention was lawful.
Synonyms
legitimate, legal, licit, just, permissible, permitted, allowable, allowed, rightful, proper, constitutional, legalized, sanctioned, authorized, warranted, justified, justifiable, approved, recognized, admissible, above board, within the law, going by the rules
informal legit, kosher, by the book
law-abiding, righteous, honourable, good, decent, proper, solid, virtuous, moral, ethical, orderly, well behaved, peacekeeping, peaceful, civilized, dutiful, duteous, obedient, compliant, complying, disciplined
1.1 dated (Of a child) born within a lawful marriage.
Derivatives
lawfulness
/ /ˈlɔːf(ə)lnəs / noun ...- Yet by the 19th Century, the Brits were renowned for almost painful ‘Victorian’ rectitude and lawfulness.
- The court is not able to review the merits, only the lawfulness, of the decision.
- Judicial review of administrative action usually examines the lawfulness, procedural fairness and rationality of a decision.
Rhymes
- in theory
- in the pay of
- in the person of
- in the picture
- in the pink
- in the pipeline
- in the poo
- in the power of
- in the process
- in the pudding club
- in the raw
- in the region of
- in the rough
- in the round
- in the saddle
- in the same (or next) breath
- in the second place
- in the sequel
- in the shape of
- in the shit
- in the short run (or term)
- in the soup
- in the swim
- in the teeth of
- in the throes of