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
It's been found in illicit drug supplies nationwide for decades.
—
Meira Gebel, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
While transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations both engage in violence and illicit activities, their end goals are different.
—Ernesto Castañeda, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
For years, the scam centers and cyber fraud compounds - many run by Chinese crime syndicates – have proliferated along the mountainous frontier, raking in billions of dollars from scams, money laundering and other illicit activities.
—Teele Rebane, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
The regulations aimed to increase transparency, aid law enforcement, and combat illicit financial flows.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Meira Gebel, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
While transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations both engage in violence and illicit activities, their end goals are different.
—Ernesto Castañeda, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
For years, the scam centers and cyber fraud compounds - many run by Chinese crime syndicates – have proliferated along the mountainous frontier, raking in billions of dollars from scams, money laundering and other illicit activities.
—Teele Rebane, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
The regulations aimed to increase transparency, aid law enforcement, and combat illicit financial flows.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illicit
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Federal workers, migrants and transgender troops are among the groups arguing that Trump’s policies are unlawful and will cause irreversible harm if not blocked.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
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After a national labor union and student loan borrower advocacy group filed a legal challenge against the Trump administration arguing that the shutdown was unlawful, the department reopened IDR applications for ICR, PAYE, and IBR.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Immigrant advocates on Monday sued the Trump administration over a rule requiring immigrants to register with the federal government or face criminal prosecution.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
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The security officers will not have authority to make arrests, conduct traffic stops or participate in criminal investigations, according to information shared with the Village Council.—
Jennifer Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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