1
as in unlawful
contrary to or forbidden by law it is illegal to import those birds into this country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 illegal Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens. —
James Bruggers, The Courier-Journal, 5 July 2017 Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between. —Lisa Beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, 5 July 2017 Facebook has been scrutinized for its handling of its users’ data, and social networks face fines in Germany for failing to swiftly take down hate speech and illegal content. —Amie Tsang, New York Times, 4 July 2017 In the 1950s and 1960s, major city hospitals in the United States admitted as many as 20 to 30 women a day for complications from illegal or self-induced abortions. —Cindy Crabb, Teen Vogue, 1 July 2017 Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler as a stuck-in-a-rut suburban couple who open an illegal casino to pay for their daughter's college tuition. —Owen Gleiberman, chicagotribune.com, 30 June 2017 They are charged with illegal re-entry into the United States after previous deportation or removal, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer. —Carol Robinson, AL.com, 30 June 2017 Trump later walked back these comments, sort of, saying that instead, doctors should be punished for providing abortions if the procedure were made illegal. —Michael Sebastian, Cosmopolitan, 29 June 2017 A Helsinki district court on Wednesday ordered the assets of Uber's Finnish country manager be confiscated until police conclude an investigation into whether the U.S. ride-hailing firm operates an illegal taxi service in Finland. —Reuters, Fortune, 28 June 2017
James Bruggers, The Courier-Journal, 5 July 2017 Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between. —Lisa Beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, 5 July 2017 Facebook has been scrutinized for its handling of its users’ data, and social networks face fines in Germany for failing to swiftly take down hate speech and illegal content. —Amie Tsang, New York Times, 4 July 2017 In the 1950s and 1960s, major city hospitals in the United States admitted as many as 20 to 30 women a day for complications from illegal or self-induced abortions. —Cindy Crabb, Teen Vogue, 1 July 2017 Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler as a stuck-in-a-rut suburban couple who open an illegal casino to pay for their daughter's college tuition. —Owen Gleiberman, chicagotribune.com, 30 June 2017 They are charged with illegal re-entry into the United States after previous deportation or removal, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer. —Carol Robinson, AL.com, 30 June 2017 Trump later walked back these comments, sort of, saying that instead, doctors should be punished for providing abortions if the procedure were made illegal. —Michael Sebastian, Cosmopolitan, 29 June 2017 A Helsinki district court on Wednesday ordered the assets of Uber's Finnish country manager be confiscated until police conclude an investigation into whether the U.S. ride-hailing firm operates an illegal taxi service in Finland. —Reuters, Fortune, 28 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegal
Adjective
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Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.— Gary D. Robertson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
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He has been charged in New York federal court with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.— Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After neighbors in October 2023 reported foul odors from the Penrose funeral home, officials arrested the couple in November 2023, in Oklahoma.— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
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An investigation into the funeral home began in October 2023 when neighbors reported a foul odor to the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.— Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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At least four federal judges blocked some of those subpoenas as flagrantly illicit overreach.— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
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Some lawmakers and industry groups have raised concerns about personal freedom, enforcement challenges, and the growth of illicit tobacco markets, sparking debate over individual liberty and the role of the state in regulating personal behavior.— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Borrowers should also know that the FDCPA provides specific protections against abusive, deceptive or unfair collection practices.— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
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Women really get a very, very unfair shake, even in this country [the United States].— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Federal authorities leading investigation The FBI is leading the criminal probe while the Secret Service is focusing on the suspect's behavioral profile, a senior law enforcement official briefed on the bicoastal investigation told USA TODAY.— Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
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In a new book, Geoff Kelly traces how the artworks moved through criminal networks, where violence took the lives of key suspects and witnesses, and challenges long-circulating theories by revisiting key details.— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The duo made up for the absence of Wembanyama, who did not clear concussion protocol after a nasty fall knocked him out early from a Game 2 loss.— Christian Clark, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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Lomu did not fit the typical profile Mike Vrabel seeks in linemen, players with a nasty streak and fierce play demeanor.— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/illegal. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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