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
Over many years, law enforcement agencies have seized large quantities from illicit actors, today estimated to be about 200,000 coins.
—
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 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
The president started the latest conflict over what his administration perceives as a lack of sufficient action to stop the flow of illicit drugs such as fentanyl across America's borders, fueling an opioid epidemic that has cost thousands of lives through overdoses.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
For many years, China has been the largest source of both legal supplies of the drug – which is prescribed for severe pain relief – and illicit supplies of precursor chemicals that are typically processed in labs in Mexico before the final product is smuggled across the US border.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illicit
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 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
The president started the latest conflict over what his administration perceives as a lack of sufficient action to stop the flow of illicit drugs such as fentanyl across America's borders, fueling an opioid epidemic that has cost thousands of lives through overdoses.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
For many years, China has been the largest source of both legal supplies of the drug – which is prescribed for severe pain relief – and illicit supplies of precursor chemicals that are typically processed in labs in Mexico before the final product is smuggled across the US border.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 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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The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The criminal search warrant centered on Old McDonald's Farm, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to NPR.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2025
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Officers have recently been rejecting noncitizens whose posts suggested criticism of the United States or Israel, but not necessarily criminal activity.—
Albert Sun,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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