as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
had a long history of using illicit drugs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illicit
Prosecutors argued Hayes led a network of traders and brokers to submit information that benefited his trades and earned illicit profits for himself and his employer.
—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 29 July 2025
Some folks get fancy and use electric kettles for pastas, and others sneak illicit hot plates into their dorms.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
People want to know who among the rich and powerful engaged in illicit activities because of how it's been hyped, not because of a desire for justice.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
House Republicans are considering a resolution demanding that the Trump administration release more files on Epstein and his illicit activities.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 29 July 2025
Some folks get fancy and use electric kettles for pastas, and others sneak illicit hot plates into their dorms.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
People want to know who among the rich and powerful engaged in illicit activities because of how it's been hyped, not because of a desire for justice.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
House Republicans are considering a resolution demanding that the Trump administration release more files on Epstein and his illicit activities.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illicit
Adjective
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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Drake Solomon accuses his former employer of disability discrimination and an unlawful severance offer.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Instead, advocates say those who are not in shelter are being pushed farther and farther away from services in an attempt to escape unlawful camping citations.—
Keely Doll,
The Courier-Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, total full-time criminal justice personnel increased 1.9% from 2023 to 2024, according to the press release.—
Amelia Wu,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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According to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office, at least 25 defendants saw their criminal charges dismissed by a Bay State judge on Tuesday, after no one stepped forward to offer them legal assistance.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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