ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wrongfully

adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɹɔŋfəɫi// UK //ɹˈɒŋfəli// wrong·ful·ly

adv. in a way that is not fair, legal, or correct. You use this when someone is treated badly or punished for something they did not do.

adv. in a manner that is unjust, illegal, or incorrect. Often used to describe the unjust treatment of a person or the improper application of a rule.


SIMPLE

He was wrongfully accused of stealing the money.

CONTEXTUAL

The employee was wrongfully fired for a mistake that was actually the manager's fault.

COMPLEX

The legal team argued that the defendant was wrongfully detained for over a month without any formal charges being filed by the authorities.

Origin

From Middle English wrongfully, wrongfullich; equivalent to wrongful + -ly.

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