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.

"Of course, until yesterday the prime minister was claiming that this leadership had brought order to the chaos of illegal subsidies," it said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Oregon’s Worker Fraud Protection Act makes it illegal to “falsely impersonate” a union representative and imposes fines for infractions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The Ashley Madison scandal was embarrassing but not illegal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Starlink devices are expensive as well as illegal, so those who have access tend to be relatively wealthy.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

There was a law which made it illegal to hunt and sell chimpanzees without a license.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall

illegal

Example Sentences

Related Words