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
The medical examiner also determined the drug was illicit (as opposed to medical-grade) and ingested orally.
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
The smugglers let him aboard, and the boy clambered around hatches that, if opened, would reveal dozens of felonies worth of illicit cargo.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors alleged Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Retailers are free to sell products as long as the label does not make false or misleading medical claims or contain unapproved or illicit drugs.
—David Kroll, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
The smugglers let him aboard, and the boy clambered around hatches that, if opened, would reveal dozens of felonies worth of illicit cargo.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors alleged Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Retailers are free to sell products as long as the label does not make false or misleading medical claims or contain unapproved or illicit drugs.
—David Kroll, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 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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Heifler was charged with ferdeal counts of unlawful possession of a destructive devices and unlawful making of destructive devices, officials said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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All told, Mueller brought criminal charges against six of the president's associates, including his campaign chairman and first national security adviser.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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The man accused of the attack, Lawrence Reed, had a lengthy criminal history.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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