as in alcohol
illegally produced liquor
getting caught with bootleg during Prohibition could have resulted in a jail sentence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in unauthorized
made or sold illegally
During the Prohibition era, many people made their own bootleg whiskey. He was arrested for selling bootleg copies of the album.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in to smuggle
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bootleg
Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
The Chargers did not incorporate enough play-action bootleg into their offense over the last two years.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
The quarterback can bootleg in and out of the perimeter of cameras, as the testing aims to simulate as many football movements as possible.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Noun
While bootlegs have been out there for decades, the Petty estate is finally making the concert officially available, with audio restoration done by Ryan Ulyate.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
The Chargers did not incorporate enough play-action bootleg into their offense over the last two years.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Living in Woodstock, New York, Dylan spent a lot of time in nearby Saugerties at the Band’s famous Big Pink house, recording dozens of songs that were heavily bootlegged and sometimes sent to other artists to record.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
The quarterback can bootleg in and out of the perimeter of cameras, as the testing aims to simulate as many football movements as possible.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootleg
Noun
-
The center specializes in alcohol addiction treatment, including alcoholism, alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse and binge drinking.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
-
Jackson was indicted on 10 criminal counts in 2003, including child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent (alcohol) to a minor, and conspiracy to commit child abduction and false imprisonment.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Recovering from identity theft requires securing your credit, documenting the fraud, and disputing unauthorized accounts.—
Miranda Marquit,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
-
Since 1868, birthright citizenship has made anyone born in the United States a citizen – whether the child of citizens, foreign nationals living legally in the United States, or unauthorized immigrants.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
So yes, one very important achievement is that Hamas cannot really strengthen itself militarily, because Israel controls the Philadelphi Corridor, which prevents Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Last week, Bryant said investigators arrested Officer Javian Quintrell Blake, accusing him of buying phones and cigarettes and smuggling them into the jail for payment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
True to form, the film opens with Oli getting stratospherically high on booze, cocaine and maybe some heroin at his own birthday party in The Castle, a local pub everyone has been going to for years.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
-
In a slower booze market, the winning drink may be the one that asks the least from the consumer.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Squeeze team has merchandising, a popular social media presence and tons of support across the country.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
-
Athleisure brands on the floor include Vuori, Tala, Literary Sport, Adidas and New Balance, which have all been merchandised with a fashion buyer’s eye.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The tabletop lid comes with four drink holders, and the latch and lock closure keeps the contents secure.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
-
Even one drink of alcohol damages the immune system, lowering its ability to battle invaders within 20 minutes of consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The perimeter is fenced with no trespassing signs and warnings!—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
-
The project would also add viewing areas at the park, extend fencing to encompass the new facility and provide security systems, lights and cameras.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Today, Jones and his wife, Peg Hays, use this original still pot design to make award-winning, small-batch mash bill bourbons, moonshines, and more.—
Michelle Polizzi,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
The nettle moonshine might also be behind Huldah’s new backbone.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bootleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootleg. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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