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
  • Legacy admissions hasn’t been declared unlawful under the tax code, and an admissions preference doesn’t prove a donation purchased admission.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Owen McIntire, 20, of Parkville, faces one count of malicious destruction of property and one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device for the March 2025 incident.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The bodies were discovered days later after a neighbor noticed a foul odor coming from the home.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In June, a fire east of downtown in a massive frozen-food warehouse left neighbors to endure weeks of foul smells and frustration.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen oversaw the destruction and warned drug traffickers that authorities would step up efforts to disrupt the illicit trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin, has transformed the nation's illicit drug supply over the past decade.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Kretzschmar and his lawyers, however, argued in state court in Tompkins County that the process was fundamentally unfair, including because he was found responsible for an offense that was not listed in his initial set of administrative charges.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In October 2025, Jean-Louis filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Monét alleging breach of contract and unfair competition.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Caddell remains under administration, and the criminal investigation against the company and two of its managers in Italy is continuing, prosecutors said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • But that shifted in recent years as criminal justice advocates called attention to the issue.
    — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Rather, the couple’s beloved dog, Lena, was up all night with a nasty case of diarrhea.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The latest special guest stars Este Haim as the mysterious Hallow's Eve, a villainess who wants to ruin Halloween forever by playing nasty tricks on kids out looking for candy.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegal. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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