illegality

[ il-ee-gal-i-tee ]

noun

, plural il·le·gal·i·ties.

1. illegal condition or quality; unlawfulness.
2. an illegal act.

Word History and Origins

Origin of illegality¹

From the Medieval Latin word illēgālitās, dating back to 1630–40. See illegal, -ity

Example Sentences

“But then he did not hold anyone accountable for the illegality.”

From BBC

Doherty said that given there was no finding of illegality or criminality, a decision was made that it would not be in Mr Ó Donnghaile's mental health interests to name him at that time.

From BBC

Collaboration offences range from simply denying the illegality of Russia’s invasion, or supporting it in person or online, to playing a political or military role for the occupying powers.

From BBC

“As a fully cleared officer raising serious concerns of illegality in this Department, to be disregarded in this way is deeply troubling. It is my duty as a public servant to raise this.”

From BBC

It wasn’t one ambiguous instance of potential illegality.

From Salon

Related Words

• atrocity
• criminality
• dereliction
• immorality
• infraction
• infringement
• lawlessness
• malfeasance
• misconduct
• misdeed
• wrongdoing