Phrase guide

against the law

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Forbidden by law.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • It's against the law to knowingly allow an attractive nuisance to remain in place.
  • They knew darn well that it's against the law, and they did it anyway.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: illegal, unlawful

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Being in principled opposition to a law's existence or wording, or to a school of thought about its application.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The mayor said that the law was passed last year, but also that he believes that most of the citizens are against the law and would support its repeal.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 違法 /违法 (wéifǎ) — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Chinese Mandarin: 不軌 /不轨 (bùguǐ) — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Danish: ulovligt — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Danish: ulovlig — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Finnish: lainvastainen — illegal, forbidden by law
  • German: gesetzwidrig — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Russian: незако́нный (nezakónnyj) — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Russian: противозако́нный (protivozakónnyj) — illegal, forbidden by law
  • Russian: нелега́льный (nelegálʹnyj) — illegal, forbidden by law