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.

Earlier this month, the South African government condemned criminal acts directed at foreigners, whilst conceding the country needed to deal with illegal immigration.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

In Brazil, it’s illegal to possess a wild animal without authorization from the government.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

There is still no timeline, cost estimate or guarantee of the money needed, for the clean-up one of Europe's largest illegal landfill sites, politicians have said.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

South African government ministers held urgent talks Monday to address tensions over illegal migration as protesters again demanded that undocumented foreign nationals be made to leave the country.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Was Kik working with this secret and illegal group?

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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