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.

Turkey has strict gun laws that require licensing, registration, mental and criminal background checks, and severe penalties for illegal possession.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

It’s illegal for officers to access that database for non-official reasons.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

It is illegal under Philippine law and widely banned across Southeast Asia because of its destructive impact on marine ecosystems.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

“Asking for a powerful, deadly, and illegal one such as the red Quassia suggests to me that you have some skill...or you're a fool.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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