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
Meanwhile, in the case of general trade duties that have been threatened — then suspended — on Canada and Mexico, the administration has also highlighted illicit fentanyl flows from those countries.
—
Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
The illicit communications were uncovered after corrections officers confiscated a contraband cellphone that Amato smuggled into prison.
—Jager Weatherby, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Many experts advocate for tighter regulations, advertising restrictions and stronger measures to combat the illicit market.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Somewhat sharper are the characters who start out already well-versed in the illicit trade.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
The illicit communications were uncovered after corrections officers confiscated a contraband cellphone that Amato smuggled into prison.
—Jager Weatherby, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Many experts advocate for tighter regulations, advertising restrictions and stronger measures to combat the illicit market.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Somewhat sharper are the characters who start out already well-versed in the illicit trade.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 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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Legal experts say the moves are likely unlawful, workers complain they were sloppily handled, and the whole process runs the risk of doing long-term damage to critical workings of the federal government.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
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Duterte's former legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the arrest was unlawful, and said the police did not allow one of his lawyers to meet Duterte at the airport.—
Karen Lema,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Caleb McCray, 23, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, was charged with manslaughter and felony criminal hazing, according to court records.—
Neil Vigdor,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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The maternal aunt of a 22-year-old Harlem man who died in an upstate prison after an altercation with correction officers that is under criminal investigation demanded answers Friday.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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