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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bootleg
Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
The Chargers did not incorporate enough play-action bootleg into their offense over the last two years.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Noun
While bootlegs have been out there for decades, the Petty estate is finally making the concert officially available, with audio restoration done by Ryan Ulyate.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
The Chargers did not incorporate enough play-action bootleg into their offense over the last two years.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Living in Woodstock, New York, Dylan spent a lot of time in nearby Saugerties at the Band’s famous Big Pink house, recording dozens of songs that were heavily bootlegged and sometimes sent to other artists to record.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bootleg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootleg
Noun
-
The characters can be flawed, and cars can crash, McDermott says, but NASCAR wanted race scenes to look authentic and was adamant that the series not depict anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
To participate, travelers must be 21 or older, the legal age to purchase alcohol in the United States.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If finalized, the move could impact telehealth firms that rely on outsourcing facilities to produce these drugs in bulk, while bolstering Novo and Lilly's efforts against unauthorized versions that are eating into sales of their blockbuster treatments.—
Mariam Sunny,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The four-count complaint includes battery, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and unauthorized use of name and likeness.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sri Lankan authorities have also made several detections of large hauls of heroin and other narcotics smuggled in via small fishing boats in recent years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Two San Diego men have been sentenced for smuggling vulnerable birds into the United States, with one heading to prison and the other getting hit with thousands in fines.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
You into booze or drugs these days?—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The booze came from former Yankees hitting coach Dillon Lawson, who hired Hirst into the organization back in 2018.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It’s all curated by owner Sylvie Chateigner, who has methodically merchandised the store by color.—
Clara Giampellegrini,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The store’s inventory will come from local closets and be merchandised around upcoming events including Ultra (March 27-29), the Miami Open (through March 29), Formula 1 (May 1-3) and Swim Week (May 25-June 1).—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People come in, just have a few drinks and listen to music, and then stick around and come to the next show and the next show.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The afternoon features food and drinks, a DJ, dancing, games, contests, a photo booth and music included in the cost of tickets.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Zoning commissioners raised concerns about fencing to prevent children from accessing the site.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While some canvases feature just fencing and textile patterns, others incorporate hands and figures, sometimes in vulnerable moments.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The nettle moonshine might also be behind Huldah’s new backbone.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The other spirits, including the moonshine, can be found at websites like Total Wine now.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bootleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootleg. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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