ILLEGALLY Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

illegally

adverb

as in dirty

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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 illegally Millions who couldn’t get visas turned to entering illegally. — Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has faced the worst fuel shortages. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 Aside from the fictional King Kong, who first appeared in a 1933 film atop the skyscraper, others in real life legally — and illegally — climbed the famous skyscraper. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Thornton has also increased penalties for repeat offenders illegally using personal fireworks. — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 2 July 2026 Police also uncovered an underground marijuana production area that was illegally connected to the electrical grid. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 The brothers were in the country illegally during the multi-state scheme that stole at least $760,000 from the federal SNAP program, prosecutors said. — Joe Marusak july 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 This is the second year that the Riverside Police Department is using drones to spot and record residents who are illegally lighting fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend, a common issue throughout California. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 The Department of Justice accuses Yale of illegally favoring Black and Hispanic applicants, citing its interpretation of the 2023 Supreme Court ban on race-conscious admissions. — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegally

unethically

Adverb

The new cathode replaces toxic, expensive, and unethically mined cobalt with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) embedded in a carbon matrix.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Uber’s campaign accused trial attorneys of unethically abusing their clients and attorneys said the company is attempting restructure longstanding civil justice laws to escape accountability for harm caused by its drivers.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

Definition of unethically

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illegalizing

illegally

illegible

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“Illegally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegally. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of illegally

adverb

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