illegality

About 0.50 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun the state of being illegal

   The criminal was aware of the illegality of his act.

2. noun a defense to the validity of a contract because it was in violation of the law

   When sued for refusing to pay for services provided by a prostitute, the customer raised the defense of illegality.

Similar words

unlawfulness unlawful illicit lawlessness illegitimacy wrongdoing wrongfulness impermissibility criminalisation irregular

Often followed by

of and in or is was as to on

Word family

illegal illegalities illegally