illegal

[ih-lee-guhl] / ɪˈli gəl /

ADJECTIVE

against the law

Synonyms

STRONGEST

banned criminal illegitimate illicit irregular outlawed prohibited smuggled unauthorized unconstitutional unlawful unlicensed unwarranted wrongful

WEAK

actionable black-market bootleg contraband crooked extralegal felonious forbidden heavy hot interdicted lawless not approved not legal outside the law proscribed prosecutable racket shady sub-rosa taboo under-the-table unofficial unwarrantable verboten violating wildcat

Antonyms

STRONGEST

authorized blessed ethical good justifiable lawful legal legitimate moral permitted right warranted

WEAK

allowed permissible

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For years, reformers rightly pushed back against scare tactics meant to keep marijuana illegal.

From Slate • Jun. 13, 2026

Executives or insiders also have to deal with Securities and Exchange Commission filing requirements for stock sales designed to prevent illegal insider trading.

From Barron's • Jun. 13, 2026

“That illegal search launched the entire federal case,” reads the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Despite offering work and accommodation to the two convicted men, he denied knowing them or being involved in the sale of illegal tobacco.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

By 1787, when the Constitution was being drafted, most of the Northern states had already made the foreign slave trade illegal.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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"A Natural Balance" and "In My Dreams"

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Fear and Loathing in Cleveland: Trump's RNC Acceptance Speech

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