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.

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 UK's asylum process offers protection to people who cannot return to their home countries because they would be in danger, for example in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh where gay sex is illegal.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 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

The bill proposes to make it illegal to implicitly condone or play down acts of terrorism, extending the scope of existing legislation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

He has to call them Turkish rugs, because it’s illegal in America to do business with Iran.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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