as in alcohol
illegally produced liquor
getting caught with bootleg during Prohibition could have resulted in a jail sentence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in unauthorized
made or sold illegally
During the Prohibition era, many people made their own bootleg whiskey. He was arrested for selling bootleg copies of the album.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in to smuggle
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bootleg
Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
This was the era of Prohibition, dominated by bootlegging gangsters—Chicago alone was said to be home to 1,300 gangs—and some police departments adopted increasingly brutal tactics to wring the truth out of suspects: beating and burning detainees with cigarettes, or depriving them of sleep.
—Susan Saulny, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 May 2025
From early in Dylan’s career, recordings of his music would be leaked, shared and sold as bootlegs at an almost cartoonish rate.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Noun
The quarterback can bootleg in and out of the perimeter of cameras, as the testing aims to simulate as many football movements as possible.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
This was the era of Prohibition, dominated by bootlegging gangsters—Chicago alone was said to be home to 1,300 gangs—and some police departments adopted increasingly brutal tactics to wring the truth out of suspects: beating and burning detainees with cigarettes, or depriving them of sleep.
—Susan Saulny, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Povenmire jokes that if Disney doesn’t do it, then bootlegs sell.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 May 2025
From early in Dylan’s career, recordings of his music would be leaked, shared and sold as bootlegs at an almost cartoonish rate.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootleg
Noun
-
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
24 July 2025
-
Ozzy Osbourne shared 3 children with first wife Thelma Riley The father of six children over two marriages, Osbourne has been vocal about how rigorous touring and alcohol use affected his family life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Lower-skilled workers, at times unauthorized, play central roles in various industries, including construction, restaurants and manufacturing.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
Many publishers, including Forbes, have sued AI companies, accusing them of copyright infringement for unauthorized use of content.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Yemen’s National Resistance Forces released new footage of the interception of a vessel smuggling Iranian weapons to the Houthis in the Red Sea.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
-
As part of his plea deal, Guzman Lopez – who is the first of the brothers to plead guilty – might have to share intimate details about his family's role in smuggling drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, possibly including testifying against one of his brothers who is still awaiting trial.—
Sabrina Franza,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Ozzy does his thing, making the music, playing the music, and staying off drugs and booze; Sharon does hers, managing Ozzy’s career, managing Ozzy, making the business decisions, counting the money, looking after Ozzfest, looking after Ozzy.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
-
He’s turned to booze and solitude and his work to distract himself from the pain and grief of that loss.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Part of he exhibition will be a merchandising area including such products as plush dolls, picture books, and key chains, according to the fest.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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The suits and blazers that are offered are made from linen or lightweight wool or cashmere, depending on the season, and are merchandised in a more casual way.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
8 July 2025
Noun
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In one study, 13 women engaged in 30-minute brisk walking after drinking four matcha drinks spread across 24 hours.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 July 2025
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Amenities: Free breakfast, dining room, rooftop terrace, garden terrace, street parking Editor’s tip: Before heading out each night, don’t miss out on sunset drinks on the furnished rooftop terrace overlooking Chora.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Slatted fencing conceals kayaks, paddleboards, and other lake toys, ensuring the backyard looks tidy.—
Jody Garlock,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 July 2025
-
Tritons fencing coach Juan Ignacio Calderon admires not only the artistry of Wu’s fencing but also the gamut of her accomplishments.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
The moonshine is made with fresh blackberries grown on Jeptha Creeds farm in Shelby County.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
17 July 2025
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Melky Jean’s grandmother made moonshine back in Haiti.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bootleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootleg. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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