ILLEGALITY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

illegality

noun

as in criminality

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Recent Examples of illegality The Founders never predicted that a president, his Cabinet, Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Congress would not challenge the blatant illegality that has been happening over the past two years. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026 In an attempt to make the case against him, Pembrock commits a stunning act of illegality that would immediately have the case thrown out of court but at least provides the film a few moments of suspense. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 That’s typically a vital part of the narrative of illegality. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 The Philippines began to release video of China violating the arbitration ruling, and calling out the illegality of China’s actions on social media. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 As a result, the decision was 6–3 on the illegality of the executive order, but only 5–4 on the constitutional question. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 The Justice Manual violations described above represent only one dimension of the illegality of this Fund. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 June 2026 And the blurred line between guanxi and outright illegality bred widespread graft. — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026 While lower prices are welcome news for consumers, cannabis businesses have had difficulty making money due to high financing and operating costs, and an inability to take normal business tax deductions due to the drug’s illegality under federal law. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegality

Noun

Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Investigators, however, believe there was no criminality and that the cause was an electrical fire in one of the fifth-floor apartments.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminality

Noun

In 1697 the Massachusetts General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayer to repent for the unlawfulness of the trials.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
The appellate panel took issue with jury instructions that implied the mother's lack of consent could satisfy the unlawfulness element under the federal kidnapping statute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of unlawfulness

Noun

Another man decided to report to police additional abuse by Moore, who was the man’s babysitter, after speaking with Hamilton in 2010, according to court records and Hamilton’s campaign.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Another 16% experienced discriminatory comments or abuse, while 10% experienced physical aggression.

— Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

Italy, like France, witnessed a day of protests on Saturday — several turning violent — as some Italian politicians blamed the extreme left for the lawlessness.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Elsewhere, however, the book suggests that the present lawlessness is itself that better outcome.

— Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of lawlessness

Noun

Democrats have targeted Paxton, who is benefiting from millions in outside spending, over corruption claims and his impeachment by the Texas Legislature, though he was later acquitted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Even leftist lawmakers support to some of those ideas in the wake of a corruption scandal that ensnared the court.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once-wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year, especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026

Definition of licentiousness

Noun

Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).

— Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026

Definition of immorality

Browse Nearby Words

illegalities

illegality

illegalize

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Style

“Illegality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegality. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of illegality

noun

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