as in legitimate
permitted by law
law enforcement agencies are demanding stricter regulation of the sale of licit medications that can later be used in the home manufacture of illicit drugs
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Recent Examples of licit
Saulnier’s script suggests his thorough research into the fine points of police procedure, licit and illicit, and likewise into the intricacies of judicial authority and hand-to-hand combat (including minutiae about firearms and ammunition).
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
In Guerrero, more than 65% live in poverty, and around 40 criminal groups operate in different licit and illicit activities, according to the International Crisis Group.
—Karol Suárez, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024
Farmers upstate were growing fields of licit marijuana!
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
In trying to please its senior ranks, the army has allowed officers to benefit from criminal enterprises—the army helps preside over Myanmar’s licit and illicit economies.
—Avinash Paliwal, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2024
But animals’ taste for human goods — licit and illicit — can also bring trouble for them and for us.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2023
The only morally licit treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, for a Catholic, besides watch and wait, is the salpingectomy, on the basis that the demise of the pregnancy is an indirect effect of acting to preserve the mother’s life.
—Joanna Petrone, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2017
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
In Guerrero, more than 65% live in poverty, and around 40 criminal groups operate in different licit and illicit activities, according to the International Crisis Group.
—Karol Suárez, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024
Farmers upstate were growing fields of licit marijuana!
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
In trying to please its senior ranks, the army has allowed officers to benefit from criminal enterprises—the army helps preside over Myanmar’s licit and illicit economies.
—Avinash Paliwal, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2024
But animals’ taste for human goods — licit and illicit — can also bring trouble for them and for us.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2023
The only morally licit treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, for a Catholic, besides watch and wait, is the salpingectomy, on the basis that the demise of the pregnancy is an indirect effect of acting to preserve the mother’s life.
—Joanna Petrone, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for licit
Adjective
-
In the current political climate in the United States, criticizing Israel for blocking food aid to deliberately starve Palestinian civilians is labeled antisemitic, while advocating for the annihilation of Palestinian children is part of legitimate political discourse.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Republicans have argued that the Biden CFPB targeted legitimate practices by banks.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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One concern is the legal challenge aspect of the bill, which says developers can sue counties that are not in compliance with the law.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Mar. 2025
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This situation has raised serious concern within his family, which has led us to retain legal counsel to initiate legal actions ensuring his safety and the protection of his rights throughout this process.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
When is a lawful arrest a kidnapping?—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Licit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/licit. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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