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
Each is nevertheless charmed by the other, forming a relationship that’s portrayed a bit like an illicit affair.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
The illicit cash involved, police say, often comes from drug crimes, human trafficking, or other criminal activity.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Hanson garnered a reputation as a great team player, an all-around hustler, and someone with valuable connections to illicit drugs that would help players through pain.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The genre grew through messaging apps like Telegram and illicit networks like el paquete — the packet — a system where content is shared weekly via flash drives.
—Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
The illicit cash involved, police say, often comes from drug crimes, human trafficking, or other criminal activity.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Hanson garnered a reputation as a great team player, an all-around hustler, and someone with valuable connections to illicit drugs that would help players through pain.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The genre grew through messaging apps like Telegram and illicit networks like el paquete — the packet — a system where content is shared weekly via flash drives.
—Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 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
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The tort of battery, meaning unlawful and harmful physical contact, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, which refers to using extreme conduct to terrorize another, are potential claims.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Hoping to keep the Solar for All program on track, the group has asked a jury to declare the program's termination unlawful and issue an injunction requiring the EPA to reinstate the program.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Soon, the deputy commissioner was asking me about narcissism and criminal thinking.—
Joe Garcia,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
That seems pretty criminal to me.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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