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.

Other powerful Sánchez allies include the illegal gold-mining interests that threaten the property rights of lawful mining companies, an important engine of growth for Peru.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

"On top of that, there is widespread illegal extraction -- as audit after audit has confirmed."

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

From this era on, any form of public dissent was not just discouraged but downright illegal.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

The former mayor of Arcadia pleaded guilty Friday to acting as an illegal agent of China.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Lily says percentages and politicians can’t define identity, but they’ve defined mine: illegal lab creation.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

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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