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
Her government has handed over scores of cartel suspects to the United States, arrested hundreds of other cartel operatives and busted numerous illicit drug laboratories, among other steps.
—
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Officials announced on Wednesday an international law enforcement operation dismantled at least nine overseas cryptocurrency scam centers and resulted in 276 arrests, shutting down illicit networks that have stolen millions of dollars from Americans.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Their job was to board the trains going from Germany to Austria at random to interdict drugs, illicit money, and criminals.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
On Friday, founder Shayne Coplan suggested Polymarket planned to continue to aggressively crack down on illicit activity on the platform.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Officials announced on Wednesday an international law enforcement operation dismantled at least nine overseas cryptocurrency scam centers and resulted in 276 arrests, shutting down illicit networks that have stolen millions of dollars from Americans.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Their job was to board the trains going from Germany to Austria at random to interdict drugs, illicit money, and criminals.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
On Friday, founder Shayne Coplan suggested Polymarket planned to continue to aggressively crack down on illicit activity on the platform.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Apr. 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
-
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
-
A’Jonya Shorter, 18, is charged with dangerous possession of a firearm, a Level 5 felony; possession of a firearm on school property, a Level 6 felony; and misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a handgun.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
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The money, hidden in furniture, was never reported through standard police channels, prompting the former intelligence chief in 2022 to file a criminal complaint alleging a cover-up, money laundering, and unlawful use of Ramaphosa’s bodyguards to track down suspects.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Those efforts resulted in criminal charges against Giuliani in two states and a defamation lawsuit from election workers in Georgia.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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The decision to close the camp for the summer does not change the pending lawsuits nor the open criminal investigation being conducted by the Texas Rangers.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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