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
Whelchel pointed to a series of text exchanges between Alam and his friends that appeared to paint Alam as a frequent user of illicit drugs like mushrooms and extacy.
—
Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Which is how Brooks became the go-to guy for illicit bulbs.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2025
North was convicted in 1989 on three felony charges for helping to arrange the illicit sale of weapons to Iran and divert the proceeds to fund a secret war against anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
During Prohibition, speakeasies were illicit bars often hidden in basements, behind unmarked doors, or in back rooms.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Which is how Brooks became the go-to guy for illicit bulbs.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2025
North was convicted in 1989 on three felony charges for helping to arrange the illicit sale of weapons to Iran and divert the proceeds to fund a secret war against anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
During Prohibition, speakeasies were illicit bars often hidden in basements, behind unmarked doors, or in back rooms.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
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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In November, jurors convicted Martinez of unlawful compensation and a related conspiracy charge.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Britain's biggest anti-immigrant political party, Reform UK, which has topped opinion polls in recent months, has kept its distance from Robinson, who has several criminal convictions.—
Vitalii Yalahuzian,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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At least 25 people were arrested in offenses including violent disorder, assaults and criminal damage, and the investigation continues, police said.—
BRIAN MELLEY,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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