ILLEGALITY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

illegality

noun

as in criminality

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Recent Examples of illegality The Founders never predicted that a president, his Cabinet, Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Congress would not challenge the blatant illegality that has been happening over the past two years. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026 In an attempt to make the case against him, Pembrock commits a stunning act of illegality that would immediately have the case thrown out of court but at least provides the film a few moments of suspense. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 That’s typically a vital part of the narrative of illegality. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 The Philippines began to release video of China violating the arbitration ruling, and calling out the illegality of China’s actions on social media. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 As a result, the decision was 6–3 on the illegality of the executive order, but only 5–4 on the constitutional question. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 The Justice Manual violations described above represent only one dimension of the illegality of this Fund. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 June 2026 And the blurred line between guanxi and outright illegality bred widespread graft. — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026 While lower prices are welcome news for consumers, cannabis businesses have had difficulty making money due to high financing and operating costs, and an inability to take normal business tax deductions due to the drug’s illegality under federal law. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegality

Noun

Shame, disgust, anger, sadness and confusion equally course through Lucy, who starts wondering about the extent of Philip’s criminality.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
His office published statistics showing that the county jails were overwhelmingly filled with undocumented immigrants as proof of their criminality.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminality

Noun

In 1697 the Massachusetts General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayer to repent for the unlawfulness of the trials.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
The appellate panel took issue with jury instructions that implied the mother's lack of consent could satisfy the unlawfulness element under the federal kidnapping statute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of unlawfulness

Noun

The abuse included shooting him with a BB gun, burning his genitals and forcing him to eat cat feces.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Surveys show that both Democrats and Republicans believe that sizable proportions of the other side favor wrongful imprisonment, tax fraud, embezzlement, adultery, animal abuse, and child pornography.

— Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

People seem to have had it with the reign of corruption and lawlessness.

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
Another example of lawlessness was Trump putting his name on the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, subsequently denied by another sitting federal court judge.

— Miles J. Zaremski, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of lawlessness

Noun

Johannesburg’s mayoral race reveals a city frustrated by years of corruption and crumbling infrastructure – and a country at a crossroad.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026
Those interests include concerns about affordability, the Iran war and corruption.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once-wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year, especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026

Definition of licentiousness

Noun

Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).

— Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026

Definition of immorality

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illegality

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“Illegality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegality. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of illegality

noun

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