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.

“This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The US State Department said that while it did not comment on "diplomatic communications with other governments" the administration remained "unwavering" in its "commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America's border security".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

After a jury on Wednesday found that Ticketmaster owner Live Nation was an illegal monopoly, fans, smaller venues and artist groups expressed hope for a breakup of the concert-ticketing giant.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The government sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging the company maintained an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

I argued two cases at the Mississippi Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the convictions and sentences of young children were illegal.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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