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
They are also engaged in constant bickering over the spoils of illicit trade and corruption.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
As Sophie becomes entangled in their late-night partying—and illicit activities—a shocking murder turns her new life into a deadly game of deception.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Kim Keon-hee, the former first lady, is accused of accepting illicit financial gifts and participating in a stock manipulation scheme while her husband was in office.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
Bowyer’s co-workers became clients of his bookmaking operation, the line between his licit and illicit earnings becoming so porous as to feel nonexistent.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
As Sophie becomes entangled in their late-night partying—and illicit activities—a shocking murder turns her new life into a deadly game of deception.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Kim Keon-hee, the former first lady, is accused of accepting illicit financial gifts and participating in a stock manipulation scheme while her husband was in office.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
Bowyer’s co-workers became clients of his bookmaking operation, the line between his licit and illicit earnings becoming so porous as to feel nonexistent.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illicit
Adjective
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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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Green, of Jackson Township, has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with Reid's death, according to Billhimer.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Office of the Inspector General launched a criminal investigation and determined the shots had been fired from where two FBI agents and an Oregon State Police officer had been standing.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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Abrego was brought back in June to face criminal charges of transporting migrants living in the United States illegally.—
Ted Hesson,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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