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.

One other factor got less attention: the clampdown on the illegal flow of firearms.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

The ability to freeze, seize and confiscate money and assets derived from illegal activities is rooted in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Whoever replaces Petro will have to reckon with a myriad of criminal groups engaging in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

A Gates spokesperson said he wasn’t involved in any illegal activities with Epstein and acknowledged it was a mistake to have met with him.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 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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"A Natural Balance" and "In My Dreams"

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

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