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

The Parades Commission said no paramilitary-style clothing should be worn or illegal flags displayed this year.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Many of them—instituted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—were deemed illegal by the U.S.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

The prosecution was later thrown out and Halligan’s appointment deemed illegal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

“If disrupting a trial was illegal, I’d add it to the list,” Elder Evergreen snips.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

illegal

Example Sentences

Related Words