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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegal
Adjective
  • Legal experts say the moves are likely unlawful, workers complain they were sloppily handled, and the whole process runs the risk of doing long-term damage to critical workings of the federal government.
    Emily Peck, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The aim is to explore ways to build more confidence and more transparency on our nuclear energy program in return for the lifting of unlawful sanctions.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The fourth quarter was not without controversy: With 4:27 left in the game, Rockets guard Amen Thompson was ejected for a flagrant foul 2 against Giannis Antetokounmpo where he got caught in the air trying to contest Antetokounmpo’s shot and then pulled him down by his head.
    Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Peavy scored 14 points before reaching the foul limit in the Jan. 11 loss to UConn.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Somewhat sharper are the characters who start out already well-versed in the illicit trade.
    Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
  • While cocaine is the largest drug produced in Colombia, cannabis cultivation still plays a significant role in the country’s illicit drug trade.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • California Representative Sara Jacobs countered that targeting transgender kids for political gain is what's truly unfair.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • From holding major banks accountable for unfair practices to strengthening regulations that ensure fair access to credit, the CFPB has been a pillar of financial justice, particularly for Black, Latino, and low-income communities whom predatory financial institutions often target.
    Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Caleb McCray, 23, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, was charged with manslaughter and felony criminal hazing, according to court records.
    Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The court said the investigative agency that detained Yoon before his formal arrest didn’t have legal rights to investigate the criminal rebellion charges.
    Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And then, to top a nasty joke with a nastier one, he was deemed useless for the final twenty years of his life.
    Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • That jab opened up several nasty cuts around Rountree's eye and on the bridge of his nose.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegal. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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