1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

illegalize

verb

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce illegalize (audio)
Definition of illegalizenext
as in to outlaw
to make or declare contrary to the law a bill that would illegalize the private use of fireworks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of illegalize Basis for the suit to illegalize the union, lawyers explained, is the difference in race between the participants. — sandiegouniontribune.com, 28 Feb. 2018 Rather than negotiating a political agreement, Madrid decided to illegalize Basque political parties allegedly linked with terrorism and to prosecute their leaders. — Sergi Pardos-Prado, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegalize
  1. outlaw
  2. ban
Verb
  • The Big Apple already outlaws full-sized tractor-trailers from its surface streets, though the law is almost never enforced.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The eligibility lawsuit that triggered the mess is the sort of litigation the bill would outlaw.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of outlaw
Verb
  • In his first term the White House banned CNN correspondent Jim Acosta from the White House, but a judge ordered his pass returned, citing First Amendment protections.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In 2018, during his first term, the White House tried to ban journalist Jim Acosta, who then working for CNN, but a court ordered that his press credential be resinstated.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of ban

Browse Nearby Words

illegality
illegalize
illegalized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illegalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegalize. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of pundit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All