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
-
Lavery also fined Roberts $1,000 and ordered him not drink alcohol, enter a bar or liquor store, nor hunt or fish while on probation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In 2006, the city of Seattle passed an ordinance designating two core areas of the city as Alcohol Impact Areas, where the sale of 34 brands of high-alcohol content, low-price beer and wine products were banned.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Knowing that any unauthorized demonstrations are harshly suppressed, activists have tried to organize authorized rallies, plastered posters on walls and notice boards, and filed lawsuits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Registration on the Principal Register provides nationwide constructive notice, a legal presumption of ownership, and the right to use the ® symbol — tools that matter when knockoffs and unauthorized merchandise inevitably appear.—
PJ Green
April 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
June Osborne, who smuggled a Commander’s baby across the Gilead border into Toronto.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Pauli argued that some additional, invisible particle must be smuggling the leftover energy into the world.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The aperitivo—mid-morning snack accompanied by booze—is a quintessential part of the Rastro experience, so pepper your bargain-sleuthing with boozy pit stops.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The drinks — sodas with fruit, cream, purées and other flavors added in — are especially popular among Mormons as a booze-free beverage option.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It’s all curated by owner Sylvie Chateigner, who has methodically merchandised the store by color.—
Clara Giampellegrini,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The store’s inventory will come from local closets and be merchandised around upcoming events including Ultra (March 27-29), the Miami Open (through March 29), Formula 1 (May 1-3) and Swim Week (May 25-June 1).—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars, flashlights, jackets, drinks and snacks.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This Southern Whiskey-Cola Cake leans into the vanilla and warm spice flavor of the classic drink.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The park has been fenced off for weeks of renovations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Tensions heightened as British settlers began fencing off land and hunting native wildlife, creating food shortages for the Bindjareb.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The other spirits, including the moonshine, can be found at websites like Total Wine now.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Fans in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky haven’t been this excited since the invention of moonshine.—
Kevin Cusick,
Twin Cities,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bootleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootleg. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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