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Showing results for illegal. Search instead for illegala.
Definitions

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.

Sanchez has always denied any illegal funding of his party and rebuffed calls for polls before the next scheduled general election, due in 2027.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour called the ruling a win, as various states have filed lawsuits against Kalshi, arguing its operations constitute illegal gambling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

For their part, European leaders have come out staunchly against a war they weren’t consulted on, and which they see as both illegal and ill-advised.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Doe, a 1982 Supreme Court decision that allows the children of illegal immigrants, whether U.S. citizens or not, to attend public schools.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

And since Tsar Kazimir had made magic use illegal ten years ago, magic training had become extinct.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack