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
For two decades, the regimes of Hugo Chávez and Maduro have tied the state to illicit economies —granting officers, loyalists, and gangs access to oil, smuggling routes and drug profits.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
In a lawsuit filed in California District Court on Thursday, the FTC accuses the companies of multiple forms of illicit behavior.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Investigators traced an online post back to Zinn, leading them to uncover illicit material on his devices.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Small craft growers—once the heartbeat of Canada’s cannabis culture—were pushed to the margins or into the illicit market.
—Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
In a lawsuit filed in California District Court on Thursday, the FTC accuses the companies of multiple forms of illicit behavior.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Investigators traced an online post back to Zinn, leading them to uncover illicit material on his devices.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Small craft growers—once the heartbeat of Canada’s cannabis culture—were pushed to the margins or into the illicit market.
—Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 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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African telecom companies are often at the mercy of government agencies that order the shutdowns, but pressure from the international community could increase accountability and compel the companies to deny unlawful or arbitrary shutdown orders, the researchers argued.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Oregon is calling for the court to declare Hegseth's order unlawful and to enjoin the federalization of troops, as well as permanently enjoin the defense secretary and the Pentagon from calling upon Oregon National Guard members for federal service.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The department said the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners conducted a criminal history check with state and federal authorities before issuing a license.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
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The Iowa Department of Education issued Roberts a superintendent's license in 2023 after conducting criminal background checks, the district stated.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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