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.

Musk himself said: "Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content."

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

"We're seeing illegal breeding and trading of exotic cockroaches and we're putting pet businesses and pet owners on notice."

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The same satellites used to monitor illegal fishing and update Google Maps have found a new and deadly application.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The illegal insects can spread disease and harm native wildlife and agriculture, they added.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

She thought for certain it would have been illegal to say out loud.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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