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.

Many of them—instituted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—were deemed illegal by the U.S.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

The prosecution was later thrown out and Halligan’s appointment deemed illegal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

They have also been trained to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking in Tanzania.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

"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

Christopher had argued very hard and loud to be left alone, but his father said it was probably illegal.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

illegal

Example Sentences

Related Words