bootleg 1 of 3

noun

ˈbüt-ˌleg How to pronounce bootleg (audio)
Definition of bootlegnext
as in alcohol
illegally produced liquor getting caught with bootleg during Prohibition could have resulted in a jail sentence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bootleg

2 of 3

adjective

as in unauthorized
made or sold illegally During the Prohibition era, many people made their own bootleg whiskey. He was arrested for selling bootleg copies of the album.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

bootleg

3 of 3

verb

as in to smuggle

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Dissimilar Words

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 bootleg
Noun
Nearby, bootleg vendors had plenty of other options for anyone in need. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 Full bootlegs from each show will be available for purchase to those in attendance. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
After the songs were bootlegged for years, Coe began selling them on his website in 2000, though without his name on them. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026 With Dallas leading 27-21 and San Francisco driving late in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana and the 49ers lined up in a split formation, with Montana bootlegging out to the right upon taking the snap. — R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootleg
  1. alcohol
  2. unauthorized
  3. smuggle
  4. booze
  5. merchandise
  6. drink
  7. fence
  8. moonshine
Noun
  • LaGrone was directed not to possess weapons, alcohol or drugs and remain under the care of a person whose initials are noted in a document.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Flair, 77, has battled health and alcohol issues over the years.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Adjective
  • Fortunately, transparency logs account for much of that failure, but this measure requires parties to actively monitor massive feeds and works only after unauthorized certificates have been issued.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Police also reported no evidence of unauthorized access to department systems or compromised police data.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of unauthorized
Verb
  • No, the scene exists so that Fielder can smuggle in some of his signature comedy fixations.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But at sea, Spanish guarda costas (armed customs officials) pounced on British ships, allegedly searching for goods being smuggled in for sale.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of smuggle
Noun
  • By now, Bobby Davis and Hoghead Henry were dead from the collision of guns and booze.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The booze is hand‑crafted in Jalisco, Mexico, made from 100 percent blue Weber agave.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of booze
Verb
  • Dress shirts are merchandised in the center, and include the popular Traveler assortment.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Expect retailers to start merchandising home fragrance by room rather than by scent family, and expect brands to release coordinated multi-room sets.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of merchandise
Noun
  • The beverage lineup includes espresso drinks, lattes, cappuccinos, cold and hot coffee, and specialty seasonal drinks.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How to practice hygge at home Try curling up with a book, a soft blanket, cozy socks and a hot drink on a cold weekend.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink
Verb
  • The home was a natural fit for the NBA guard, complete with a fenced, concrete basketball court outfitted with professional glass backboards.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The incident drew a large law enforcement response to the soccer field, which is fenced off and has a concrete runway leading to a parking lot, KWCH reported.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of fence
Noun
  • Hence the gorgeous moment when Mi-ok joins Ho-seok for a nightcap under the stars—secret moonshine—and affirms that, in the face of insurmountable problems, enduring them together is their only solution.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Carnaval de Guaranda, for instance, takes inspiration from a rowdy annual fiesta held in the Bolivar Province and is made with vodka, hops, figs, white truffle, turmeric, and a local moonshine called pájaro azul.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of moonshine

Browse Nearby Words

booting (up)
bootleg
bootlegged
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Cite this Entry

“Bootleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootleg. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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