illegal

adjective

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gəl How to pronounce illegal (audio)
Definition of illegalnext
1
as in unlawful
contrary to or forbidden by law it is illegal to import those birds into this country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport an illegal pass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegal
  1. unlawful
  2. foul
  3. illicit
  4. unfair
  5. criminal
  6. nasty
Adjective
  • Greg Field, a 27-year LAPD veteran and director of the Police Transportation Motor Transport Division, noted the sync systems are useful for mass messages, such as at a fire evacuation or an unlawful assembly.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • McFadden is currently charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • On the floor were six cots and a couple of mattresses, stained and foul-smelling.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Murakami's lofted his team-leading 26th homer off the left-field foul pole off Williams with one out in the sixth, cutting it to 2-1.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • This ongoing challenge raises significant questions about the control of programmable dollars and the effectiveness of stablecoin freezes in combating illicit finance, which increasingly relies on these digital assets.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • For example, libertarians generally argue that owning guns, using illicit drugs and refusing vaccinations are individual rights that must be protected from the harm of infringement via regulation.
    — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • After posting six strikeouts in his début, Skubal rebuffed talk that his new team had unfair advantages.
    — Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said exempting crypto from capital controls would create an unfair distortion.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Informal mining is a deep problem in South Africa and is connected to criminal syndicates, according to authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Bad actors rely on their platforms to distribute illicit products, facilitate fraud and fund criminal activity.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Her boyfriend is nasty Sebastiano’s older soldier son Michelangelo (Lorenzo Richelmy), a true chip off the old block.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond those obvious impediments, Elkins was coming off a nasty stoppage loss in his previous fight against Julian Erosa at UFC 314 in April 2025.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of nasty
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ill-bred
illegal
illegalities
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Cite this Entry

“Illegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegal. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on illegal

Nglish: Translation of illegal for Spanish Speakers

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