as in dirty
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Recent Examples of illegally
The Supreme Court on March 25 ruled against the music industry’s effort to punish internet service providers that allow users to illegally copy and share content.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Because the building had been illegally subdivided, the owner of the building could be facing criminal charges.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
From last October through February of this year, CBP data shows border patrol officers 34,486 migrants illegally crossing the southwestern border, down from 187,898 for that same period the year prior.
—Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Some justices seemed open to that argument, though others raised questions about whether the policy would allow people who entered the country illegally to apply for asylum while new arrivals seeking legal entry at the border could be blocked.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Human rights groups estimate that about 500 newborns were illegally taken and adopted by military families or associates; around 140 have since been identified.
—Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The man arrested and accused of gunning down an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student was in the country illegally, officials said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
In 2006, in a case little noticed at the time, Supermicro pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally exporting computer equipment to Iran, and paid a $150,000 fine to the Department of Justice.
—Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
The trail crosses the tracks illegally, which generations of Del Mar residents have considered their right.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Because the building had been illegally subdivided, the owner of the building could be facing criminal charges.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
From last October through February of this year, CBP data shows border patrol officers 34,486 migrants illegally crossing the southwestern border, down from 187,898 for that same period the year prior.
—Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Some justices seemed open to that argument, though others raised questions about whether the policy would allow people who entered the country illegally to apply for asylum while new arrivals seeking legal entry at the border could be blocked.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Human rights groups estimate that about 500 newborns were illegally taken and adopted by military families or associates; around 140 have since been identified.
—Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The man arrested and accused of gunning down an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student was in the country illegally, officials said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
In 2006, in a case little noticed at the time, Supermicro pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally exporting computer equipment to Iran, and paid a $150,000 fine to the Department of Justice.
—Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
The trail crosses the tracks illegally, which generations of Del Mar residents have considered their right.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegally
unethically
Adverb
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Bree has just gotten out of her confusing affair with the unethically ethically nonmonogamous professor.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2026
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Although autonomous intelligent systems (AIS) can offer significant benefits, they also can be used unethically.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illegally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegally. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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