Ill-begotten is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is not right, morally or ethically. It is often used to describe something that has been obtained in an unjust or immoral manner. Other synonyms for ill-begotten include: illegitimate, unethical, unsanctioned, unlawful, illicit, unjust, dishonest, fraudulent, shady, corrupt, and tainted. These words can be used interchangeably with ill-begotten to convey a negative connotation. Using any of these synonyms can help in maintaining the tone of the sentence or phrase depending on the message that needs to be conveyed.