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
Authorities did not find any drug paraphernalia, illicit substances or beverages containing alcohol in Naroditsky’s residence.
—
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Sams got his start in the field in the mid-1970s, joining Ohio State’s horse racing laboratory just as methamphetamine was gaining recognition as an increasingly prevalent, illicit performance-enhancing drug given to horses.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Overdose deaths began steadily climbing in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths from heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Kagasoff, an Agoura Hills accountant, was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to forfeit $3,164,563 in illicit gains.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Sams got his start in the field in the mid-1970s, joining Ohio State’s horse racing laboratory just as methamphetamine was gaining recognition as an increasingly prevalent, illicit performance-enhancing drug given to horses.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Overdose deaths began steadily climbing in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths from heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Kagasoff, an Agoura Hills accountant, was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to forfeit $3,164,563 in illicit gains.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
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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Court records show that Moss was charged in 2024 with a range of felonies, including domestic battery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
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In June 2024, court records show, Moss was charged with three felony counts of domestic battery, three felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two felony counts of intimidation and felony criminal recklessness.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Texas criminal defense attorney Javier Guzman advised that aiding and abetting charges can result in fines of up to $250,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years, depending on the conduct and whether the assistance was for profit.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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The driver was cited and is expected to get a criminal complaint for endangered driving.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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