as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
had a long history of using illicit drugs
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Recent Examples of illicit
There is no denying the culprit either, with the video showing the hamster next to his mound of illicit goods having been caught red-pawed.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Cartels thrive in illicit markets.
—Abigail R. Hall, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Hospitalizations linked to combined use of kratom and other substances, such as illicit drugs or antidepressants, jumped 1,300% over the 10-year period, from 40 admissions to 549.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Two men who worked as couriers for an illicit delivery service that sold methamphetamine, ketamine and cocaine in the same style as popular restaurant and grocery deliver services were given sentences that did not include any prison time, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Cartels thrive in illicit markets.
—Abigail R. Hall, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Hospitalizations linked to combined use of kratom and other substances, such as illicit drugs or antidepressants, jumped 1,300% over the 10-year period, from 40 admissions to 549.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Two men who worked as couriers for an illicit delivery service that sold methamphetamine, ketamine and cocaine in the same style as popular restaurant and grocery deliver services were given sentences that did not include any prison time, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illicit
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
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
Adjective
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The unlawful increases also affect the basic plan, which saw a 2-euro increase in October 2024.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
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The teacher, Charissa Newport, faces a charge of unlawful restraint of a child younger than 17, according to the Keller Police Department.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Broidy’s criminal convictions notwithstanding, his allegations against Chalker appeared plausible.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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