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.

"No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," he wrote.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The families of the victims filed a $35-million claim against the county and state fireworks regulators alleging widespread negligence for allowing the illegal operation to continue.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 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

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

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Others are for causes: No human is illegal.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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