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.

Iran’s armed forces said before the U.S. blockade began that such a move would constitute an illegal “act of piracy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Rubio, according to the State Department, “addressed efforts to deter mass illegal immigration, secure our borders and promote regional stability.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

It is illegal under Philippine law and widely banned across Southeast Asia because of its destructive impact on marine ecosystems.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

And it was illegal to get an autograph, but I got it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

While unusual, Judge Hunt’s directed verdict was not illegal at the time.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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

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