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
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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
-
Alsup’s order is a temporary measure that requires OPM to notify agencies that its directive was unlawful.—
Ashley Oliver,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Their actions have sparked numerous lawsuits, and on Thursday, a federal judge in California found that the mass firings of probationary employees were likely unlawful.—
Kristin Brown,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And this particular mouthful may have been really foul.—
James Doubek,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Two-way player Drew Peterson later entered the mix after Porzingis picked up his fifth foul midway through the third quarter.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Toxicology results also found there were no illicit drugs in her system.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
-
That includes caffeine, alcohol, and illicit drugs, says Dr. Lokesh Shahani, a psychiatrist with UTHealth Houston.—
Angela Haupt,
TIME,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
That was going to be unfair to every single girl on this team.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2025
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Failing to meet the most stringent applicable requirements could expose employers to legal risks, including claims of unfair hiring practices.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Startled awake in present-day Los Angeles, Ted begins his morning at the offices of Black Lane, a law firm he and his friend, criminal defense attorney Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt), launched more than a decade ago.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
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Then there’s the fact that SMS verification codes are also often at the very heart of many criminal operations.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Poles needs to find difference-makers, nasty offensive linemen, game-wrecking defensive linemen, ravenous pass rushers … again, the Bears have a lot of needs.—
Jon Greenberg,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Stacey woke up with a nasty hangover from the night prior.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to illegal
Cite this Entry
“Illegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegal. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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