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
  • Since the tournament began, police have declared unlawful assemblies twice, including late July 5, when a crowd began throwing bottles at officers.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Opponents counter that California already bars unlawful firearm manufacturing with 3-D printers, and that ghost gun recoveries have declined since the state adopted a series of new laws and enforcement efforts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • Over these six weeks, the standard of on-field refereeing was predictably unpredictable, given the wide range of views that exist in different countries on what constitutes a foul, caution or red card.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Joey Bart followed by lining a ball that whizzed over third base and then skidded in foul territory to the base of a wall that juts perpendicular to the infield.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • In the latter case, it is found especially in countries where alcoholic drinks are hard to afford or illicit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • In Phoenix, this shift in the illicit drug supply has combined with heat, meth and homelessness to create an emerging crisis of overdose deaths in America’s fifth-largest city.
    — Josh Katz, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Scott Peterson's attorney appeals Scott's automatic appeal was submitted to the California Supreme Court on July 5, accompanied by a 423-page brief document from Scott's attorney, contesting the trial had been unfair.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • More than 800 union pharmacists at supermarkets in Southern California have authorized an unfair labor practice strike, labor officials said Friday.
    — Pat Maio, Oc Register, 17 July 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Because Hostin had no criminal history and cooperated with officers, police said he was issued a summons for trespass and released.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • The arrests were approved by the leaders of the Justice Department’s criminal division, a source told CNN.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • In Michigan alone, more than 7,000 have fallen ill with the nasty foodborne disease, which causes severe diarrhea, and comes from exposure to a parasite in contaminated water used to wash or irrigate crops.
    — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Europe has been consumed by a nasty fire season this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 July 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of illegal for Spanish Speakers

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