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.

“That illegal search launched the entire federal case,” reads the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Despite offering work and accommodation to the two convicted men, he denied knowing them or being involved in the sale of illegal tobacco.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

The investors sued under the statute, saying that move was obviously illegal.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

Jordan’s control of the area was overwhelmingly considered an illegal occupation by the international community.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 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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"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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