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lawfully

lawfully

39 2.5
In a way that the law allows
  • adverb
  • /ˈlɔːfəli/
  • Formal
translation icon : legalmente
  • Initially, a conflict arises when it is impossible to abide lawfully by both state and federal law.
  • lawfully operated
  • person lawfully present
  • lawfully change a process

Helen, do you take John to be your lawfully wedded husband?

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Examples

  • In particular, this view holds that "our law is still the Founders' law, as it has been lawfully changed." 57

    Academic text (2017)
  • The vast majority of these signals will be broadcast from lawfully possessed devices.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Yes, sir, that is correct, but Section 4 states, "When fired on, a hunter is lawfully allowed to return fire," which is what happened here.

  • In general, parents must be working lawfully in the U.S. to be eligible for the credit.

    Blog text (21)
  • A determination that service of process could lawfully be made upon the company would also be required.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The idea that a public official may lawfully use force in the proper performance of her duties is an old one.

    Academic text (2018)
  • In the United States, hospital emergency rooms may not lawfully refuse to treat patients who cannot pay.

    Blog text (10)
  • Do you believe a president could lawfully issue a pardon in exchange for the recipient's promise to not incriminate him?

  • We have taken back what is lawfully ours, and we will now embark on purification of our nation, city by city.

  • The company operates lawfully, adhering to all regulations and laws.

Synonyms

legally
vslawfully
421 2.8

In a way that the law allows

is the general notion of being allowed or recognized by law
rightfully
vslawfully
72 3.7

In a fair and legal way

limits this to being allowed or officially recognized by law
legitimately
vslawfully
62 3.7

In a way that follows the law or accepted rules

emphasizes only being allowed or recognized by law rather than propriety
duly
vslawfully
  • Formal
44 4.6

In the correct or expected way for a situation

is specifically about being permitted or recognized by law rather than suitability
by right
vslawfully
  • Formal
2 4.8

According to the law or what is fair

refers more narrowly to being allowed or recognized by law
validly
vslawfully
2 3.9

In a way that the law accepts or that follows the right rules

focuses on permitted status rather than logical correctness
licitly
vslawfully
  • Formal
1 8.2

In a way that follows the law

focuses on being allowed or recognized specifically by law
juridically
vslawfully
  • Formal
1 8.4

In a way that concerns the law

is about being permitted or recognized within the law itself
de jure
vslawfully
9.2

According to law or right, even if not true in practice

covers lawful allowance without stressing theoretical legal recognition
jurally
vslawfully
  • Formal
9.9

In a way that relates to law and rights

speaks more simply about being allowed or officially recognized by law

Antonyms

unlawfully
  • Formal
14 4.3

In a way that breaks the law

1 7.2

Acting without following a country's rules

Compounds

8.9

A child who is born to parents who are legally married

How Legal

rightfully
72 3.7
lawfully
  • Formal
39 2.5
illegally
197 2.1

Surface Forms

lawfully positive
lawfullerly comparative
lawfullestly superlative

Morphology

lawfully = lawful (transparent) = law + ful + ly

Formed regularly by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'lawful' to indicate manner; the meaning is predictable.

Etymology

Lawfully comes from law, the rules of a country, plus -ful, meaning 'full of' or 'following', and -ly, which makes the word describe how something is done. So lawfully means doing something 'following the law' or in a way that is allowed by the law.