extralegal

adjective

ex·​tra·​le·​gal ˌek-strə-ˈlē-gəl 

: not regulated or sanctioned by law

extralegally

ˌek-strə-ˈlē-gə-lē 

adverb

Examples of extralegal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Hollywood will always have problems, problems that can only be solved by someone with Cliff’s unique (occasionally extralegal) abilities. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Conservatives have not translated legal or extralegal victories into lasting governments. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

President Ronald Reagan would, through his extralegal maneuvering, put the Marxist Sandinistas in Nicaragua down by force. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Packed with clashing Nazi goons and ice-cold blaxploitation paragons of extralegal justice, this season went inexplicably Tarantino, opening up arteries but also opportunities for a great actor to shine. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extralegal

• paralegal
• beagle
• eagle
• legal
• regal
• riegel
• spiegel
• illegal
• viceregal
• medicolegal

Kids Definition

extralegal

adjective

ex·​tra·​le·​gal ˌek-strə-ˈlē-gəl 

: not regulated or sanctioned by law

extralegally

-gə-lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

extralegal

adjective

ex·​tra·​le·​gal ˌek-strə-ˈlē-gəl 

: not regulated or sanctioned by law

extralegally adverb