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.

“This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

It is illegal for someone in that position to refer to themselves as a barrister in connection to legal services.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Shares of Live Nation sank on Wednesday after a jury found that the Ticketmaster parent had acted as an illegal monopoly over the ticketing industry, according to reports.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The government sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging the company maintained an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Finding a job allows a person to establish a positive role in the community, develop a healthy self-image, and keep a distance from negative influences and opportunities for illegal behavior.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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Fear and Loathing in Cleveland: Trump's RNC Acceptance Speech

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