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
-
The aim was to see how institutions — both public and private — would react to a president giving unlawful or unethical orders.—
Byron Tau,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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He was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Christopher made up for 3-of-9 foul shooting by making 26 field goals to 19 for Westmont, which went 12-of-14 at the free-throw line.—
Glenn Reeves,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
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Larsson promptly picked up his fourth foul 2:40 into the third quarter and finished with four points (one for five shooting) and five rebounds in 14 minutes.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is an easy argument to dismiss because most illicit drugs don't enter the U.S. via people sneaking across the border.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Yet, the defendants allegedly stole $44 million from the relief pool and chose to spend their illicit gains on jewelry, designer clothing, and luxury cars.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For any governor to face a recall based on the omnipresent challenges of managing such a large-scale disaster seems unfair.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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The Texas senator argued that while low corporate taxes is good economic policy, allowing people in high-cost, typically Democratic states to deduct more of their state and local taxes is unfair to rest of the country.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These can all make great rivals for the criminal mastermind gangs as well.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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Spencer, who lives in East Harlem, is charged with murder, criminal weapons possession and criminal use of a firearm, according to police.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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First Lady Nancy Reagan was upset, thinking her husband was being too nasty.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2025
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The fight has been particularly nasty, with both sides trading harsh accusations against the other.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune Asia,
20 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to illegal
Thesaurus Entries Near illegal
Cite this Entry
“Illegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegal. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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