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.

Villagers living near an alleged illegal traveller site have told the BBC its rapid construction was like a "military operation".

From BBC • May 6, 2026

“The federal government considers us an illegal operator, and yet they take our money,” says Hamala.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

FinCEN said the conglomerate had received at least $4 billion worth of illegal proceeds between August 2021 and January 2025.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

“Racism in admissions is both illegal and anti-American, and this department will not allow it to continue.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

I knew that he had no probable cause to enter my vehicle and that he was conducting an illegal search.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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