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
Officials from the Baja California Attorney General’s Office said that the vast majority of homicides in the state are related in some way to illicit activities, such as drug dealing.
—
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
The documents contain no allegations that Lifetouch itself was involved in, or that student photos were used in, any illicit activities.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
But Ridley said the bill’s penalties for illicit drug possession or use still would create problems for many providers.
—Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Feb. 2026
Of the 605 sites where a multiagency state and federal task force ripped out illicit cannabis plants, roughly 9% were on public lands — up from an average of 3% to 4%.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
The documents contain no allegations that Lifetouch itself was involved in, or that student photos were used in, any illicit activities.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
But Ridley said the bill’s penalties for illicit drug possession or use still would create problems for many providers.
—Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Feb. 2026
Of the 605 sites where a multiagency state and federal task force ripped out illicit cannabis plants, roughly 9% were on public lands — up from an average of 3% to 4%.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 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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The British government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terror group has been deemed unlawful by London’s High Court.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Lawsuits hamper National Guard deployments Every deployment except the one in New Orleans has faced significant legal challenges, with multiple judges ruling the mobilizations unlawful.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Now, new emails have revealed how some notable figures were well aware of Epstein’s sensitivity around his criminal past.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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McCarthy warned that being too quick to bring untested criminal cases against political adversaries risks damaging institutional legitimacy regardless of which party is in power.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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