unlawful vs. illegal

unlawful

adjective

  1. not lawful; contrary to law; illegal.

    Synonyms:

  2. born out of wedlock; illegitimate.

    Synonyms: ,

illegal

adjective

  1. forbidden by law or statute.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  2. contrary to or forbidden by official rules, regulations, etc.:

    The referee ruled that it was an illegal forward pass.

noun

  1. Informal: Disparaging and Offensive. illegal alien.