Lawfully
What it means
In a way that the applicable law permits.
Reach for it when qualifying conduct, possession, appointment, or procedure for legal compliance
The archive lawfully released the documents after the restriction expired.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
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everyday
legally
Fits when plain language about what the law allows is preferable
Careful Legally can sound merely technical where proper authority is being emphasized.
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everyday
properly
Fits when correct procedure is the focus
Careful Properly can refer to custom or quality rather than the law.
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professional
Fits when valid process and accepted standing both matter
Careful Legitimately may express reasonableness without confirming strict legality.
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formal
permissibly
Fits when the relevant rules allow the manner of action
Careful Permissibly could point to nonlegal rules and sounds highly technical.
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formal
validly
Fits when a legal instrument or decision was effectively made
Careful Validly is narrow and awkward for ordinary behavior.
Opposites 3
- unlawfully
- illegally
- improperly
Common phrases 3
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lawfully obtained
The investigators used only records lawfully obtained through the court.
-
lawfully appointed
A lawfully appointed trustee signed the transfer.
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act lawfully
Public officials must act lawfully even during an emergency.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated