as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
had a long history of using illicit drugs
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Recent Examples of illicit
The criminal allegations state that the illicit conduct occurred at Elmwood, which houses most of the county’s female jail population.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
The festivities were held at the terrace bar nine floors above Times Square at the Edition Hotel, and anyone sneaking in an illicit cigarette out on the balcony gets treated to a giant Wicked billboard flashing in LEDs.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 June 2026
When her once-close friend Harper (Myha’la) finds her in Paris, Yasmin is now organizing illicit interactions with underage girls and young women for ultra wealthy de facto neo-Nazis and conservative politicians.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 June 2026
Scientists hoping to stop the illicit trade of marine wildlife have a new tool to spot seahorses, shark fins and sea cucumbers hidden in luggage.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
The festivities were held at the terrace bar nine floors above Times Square at the Edition Hotel, and anyone sneaking in an illicit cigarette out on the balcony gets treated to a giant Wicked billboard flashing in LEDs.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 June 2026
When her once-close friend Harper (Myha’la) finds her in Paris, Yasmin is now organizing illicit interactions with underage girls and young women for ultra wealthy de facto neo-Nazis and conservative politicians.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 June 2026
Scientists hoping to stop the illicit trade of marine wildlife have a new tool to spot seahorses, shark fins and sea cucumbers hidden in luggage.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 7 June 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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What happens if a landlord charges an unlawful late fee?—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
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London’s High Court ruled that the decision to proscribe the group was unlawful, but has kept the ban in place pending an appeals court ruling due Monday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Chesnut said El Mencho, raised in the deeply Catholic Mexican state of Michoacan, echoes other criminal actors who’ve balanced villainy and veneration, bypassing traditional religious frameworks to absolve ― or even justify ― the deeds that reap their daily bread.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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With nothing holding her down but a dead-end job and an aging dad, a small-town Texan girl is swiftly bedazzled by a smooth criminal drifter, and hops into his car to pursue a life less ordinary.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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