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
This wasn’t like paying someone to write a paper for you—there was no social friction, no aura of illicit activity.
—
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Shor, the token’s controversial majority owner, fled Moldova after being convicted of a $1 billion bank fraud and is accused of running illicit political operations.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
What emerges isn’t just kickbacks — but the outlines of a prostitution ring allegedly funded with illicit money.
—Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
In two new indictments, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges millions in illicit earnings by remote work impersonators.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Shor, the token’s controversial majority owner, fled Moldova after being convicted of a $1 billion bank fraud and is accused of running illicit political operations.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
What emerges isn’t just kickbacks — but the outlines of a prostitution ring allegedly funded with illicit money.
—Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
In two new indictments, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges millions in illicit earnings by remote work impersonators.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 1 July 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 dad was charged with violating his probation, parental kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the news release.—
Kate Linderman
July 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
-
In a brief unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court said that the injunction issued by the district court was based on its view that Mr. Trump's executive order and directives from the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management implementing that action are unlawful.—
July 8,
CBS News,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Attorney General Pam Bondi fired an additional nine DOJ staffers who worked on criminal cases against President Trump last week.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
This is not the first time Songz has come under criminal investigation for assault.—
Rachel Scharf,
Billboard,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share