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
All car buffs have a type—including one accused of resorting to illicit means to add to his collection.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2026
Toxicology testing found no alcohol or illicit drugs in both Spencer and Monique’s results.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In fact, the illicit couple seemed to enjoy flaunting their fling.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026
Their illicit bank transfers occurred between August and October 2021, the indictment says.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2026
Toxicology testing found no alcohol or illicit drugs in both Spencer and Monique’s results.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In fact, the illicit couple seemed to enjoy flaunting their fling.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026
Their illicit bank transfers occurred between August and October 2021, the indictment says.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 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
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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 British government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terror group has been deemed unlawful by London’s High Court.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Lawsuits hamper National Guard deployments Every deployment except the one in New Orleans has faced significant legal challenges, with multiple judges ruling the mobilizations unlawful.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The only requirements for the position are lived experience as a parent or child in the child welfare system, having had their welfare case closed for one year, and not having any criminal system involvement for two years.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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The ongoing release of the Epstein files haven’t necessarily revealed any new elements of criminal wrongdoing in the media class.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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