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.

A combination of enhanced security at ports, a clamp down on other illegal routes, and the development of organised gangs have reportedly helped contribute to the rise in small boat crossings.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

It defines External link illegal insider trading as “misappropriation of confidential information in breach of a pre-existing duty of trust and confidence to the source of the information.”

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Mountain lions are considered a “specially protected mammal” and are illegal to hunt for sport in California.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Either way, she said, the operation was illegal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

He has to call them Turkish rugs, because it’s illegal in America to do business with Iran.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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