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.

The policy was extended to other border crossings, but it was challenged as illegal in federal court in San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

Black coral is protected under the Wildlife Act, and it is illegal to intentionally collect or damage these corals.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

California enacted the Silenced No More Act in 2022, making it illegal for employers to use separation agreements that prohibit the disclosure of unlawful workplace acts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

In 2025, Texas passed bills legalizing housing on commercially zoned land and subdivisions of starter homes, which were rendered difficult or illegal to build by municipal zoning laws, large lot requirements, or other design requirements.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

Just thinking about it—all that talk of flames and fire—felt sort of illegal.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Vocabulary lists containing illegal

List 3

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