as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
had a long history of using illicit drugs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illicit
There are two types of scumbag in the cybercrime world: those who pick on vulnerable individuals to perpetrate their fraud, and those who target healthcare in search of illicit financial gains.
—
Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Its compact, efficient plot careens rapidly from one shocking event to another, from raucous parties to illicit affairs to car crashes to ghastly murders.
—Rob Kyff, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
The alleged leader of the drug ring, Natalie Marie Gonzalez, is a Stanford alumni who ran the illicit business with all the care, attentiveness to detail and intellectual curiosity that the top university is known for.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature of what is considered illicit prompts (i.e., that you aren’t supposed to use), see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Its compact, efficient plot careens rapidly from one shocking event to another, from raucous parties to illicit affairs to car crashes to ghastly murders.
—Rob Kyff, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
The alleged leader of the drug ring, Natalie Marie Gonzalez, is a Stanford alumni who ran the illicit business with all the care, attentiveness to detail and intellectual curiosity that the top university is known for.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature of what is considered illicit prompts (i.e., that you aren’t supposed to use), see my coverage at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
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
-
The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Karen Read’s attorneys are taking an approach of highlighting inconsistencies in the testimony of witnesses involved in the case, according to Sydney Rushing, a criminal defense attorney based in Michigan offering analysis on TikTok.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The decision struck down a San Francisco court’s decision that said imposing criminal penalties on homeless encampments violated the Constitution, allowing states to ban people from sleeping and camping in public areas.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share