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
Investigators said evidence at the scene indicated the property was being used to manufacture and harvest illicit marijuana.
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Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have both stepped in to address illicit versions of their treatments, suing weight loss clinics, medical spas and compounding pharmacies across the U.S. over the past year.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
Most drones that are sighted appear to be larger than typical hobbyist models, which has also heightened concerns about their potential use for surveillance or other illicit purposes.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
The woman, 29, arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand on a flight from Vancouver on December 8 carrying the illicit drugs in her carry-on bag, according to a release from the New Zealand Customs Service.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illicit 
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have both stepped in to address illicit versions of their treatments, suing weight loss clinics, medical spas and compounding pharmacies across the U.S. over the past year.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
Most drones that are sighted appear to be larger than typical hobbyist models, which has also heightened concerns about their potential use for surveillance or other illicit purposes.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
The woman, 29, arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand on a flight from Vancouver on December 8 carrying the illicit drugs in her carry-on bag, according to a release from the New Zealand Customs Service.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
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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The advocacy groups also allege that the rule itself is unlawful under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and unconstitutional under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.Joshua D. Smeltzer, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Each attack plan is usually meant to be analyzed by a group of officers, which often includes a military lawyer who can advise on whether strikes might be unnecessary or unlawful.Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Pointing a laser at an airplane is a federal crime, and conviction can result in civil and criminal penalties and up to five years in jail.Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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The Georgia case represents the last remaining criminal charges against Trump.Sam Gringlas, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near illicit
Cite this Entry
“Illicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illicit. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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