as in alcohols
illegally produced liquor
getting caught with bootleg during Prohibition could have resulted in a jail sentence
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Recent Examples of bootlegs
Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Her source material is a pair of cassette tapes recorded by Dueñez in the ’90s, two of a series of bootlegs that the sonidero and his wife sold at the flea market along the Puente del Papa, a bridge connecting Monterrey’s prosperous city center with its mountainside slums.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
But for a few months in 1975, all four members worked in unison to create a masterpiece and perform concerts that became legendary, thanks to bootlegs like the one here.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
Mariota looked more comfortable than either Patrick Mahomes or Dak Prescott ever looked against VJ's defense, thanks to either getting the ball out super quick -- screens, bootlegs — or by just taking off with the rock and taking his chances.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
In the six years since its debut, the show has become an internet sensation, with viewers online embracing the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootlegs of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
And that means passing up scramble lanes on bootlegs and dirting the ball in the face of free rushers.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Now, people who don’t have a technical understanding, there might be bootlegs, but that is scratchy stuff with not very good sound.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Her source material is a pair of cassette tapes recorded by Dueñez in the ’90s, two of a series of bootlegs that the sonidero and his wife sold at the flea market along the Puente del Papa, a bridge connecting Monterrey’s prosperous city center with its mountainside slums.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
But for a few months in 1975, all four members worked in unison to create a masterpiece and perform concerts that became legendary, thanks to bootlegs like the one here.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
Mariota looked more comfortable than either Patrick Mahomes or Dak Prescott ever looked against VJ's defense, thanks to either getting the ball out super quick -- screens, bootlegs — or by just taking off with the rock and taking his chances.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
In the six years since its debut, the show has become an internet sensation, with viewers online embracing the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootlegs of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
And that means passing up scramble lanes on bootlegs and dirting the ball in the face of free rushers.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Now, people who don’t have a technical understanding, there might be bootlegs, but that is scratchy stuff with not very good sound.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootlegs
Noun
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Most people tolerate monk fruit well, but blends that include sugar alcohols (like erythritol) may cause digestive symptoms in some individuals.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
16 Feb. 2026
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Sugar alcohols contain fewer calories and are slowly digested, helping prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dorian Gray, the Victorian era’s proto-Clavicular, literally exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty—a move that the looksmaxxing community would seem to endorse wholeheartedly.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The group exchanges little looks.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The serene reception area and library-like lounge lie up a flight of steps; all-day dining and drinks happen at the MO Bar, at street level below the lobby.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Many cruise lines offer perks and discounts that go far beyond the basics, such as elevated dining experiences, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and, in some cases, pre- and post-cruise hotels and/or airfare.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In this Gothic fantasy debut, Leena Al-Sayer bargains her ability to see the dead in order to pay for the expensive medicine her brother Rami needs to live.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Not everyone smuggles them into print in the form of an imaginary friend.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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According to Reforma, Rocha, a Mexican businessman who also serves as a consul of Guatemala in Mexico, is considered by FRG to be an alleged leader of a criminal organization that smuggles fuel in boats through the Usumacinta River and then in trucks to Querétaro, Mexico.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In a large Dutch oven, combine the can of tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and vinegar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Four bars serve drinks like fresh juices and local beers.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Look for the Psycho Monkey with Irish whiskey, Venezuelan rums, banana, mango, and chocolate mole bitters or the Tribal Council made with mezcal, ginger-hibiscus, lemon and dry vermouth ($12).—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
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It was kept in interconnected wooden vats that were periodically filled with rums of various origins, but never completely emptied, making it effectively an enormous and complex solera rum.—
Tony Sachs,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Juliette Lewis swaps bodies with a chair in this new surrealist vision from writer-director Amanda Kramer (Please Baby Please) narrated by Melanie Griffith and co-starring Mamoudou Athie (Kinds of Kindness), Samantha Mathis (American Psycho) and Robin Tunney (The Craft).—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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Jett, who is typically outfitted in a catsuit — no pun intended — swaps her sporty look for a glistening gold halter top and a pair of empire waist trousers while arriving at a particularly important game.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bootlegs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootlegs. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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