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
The reason is straightforward: Trump’s top domestic priorities of cracking down on unauthorized immigration, stopping the smuggling of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, and reducing the influx of Chinese goods into the United States all depend heavily on policy toward Latin America.
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Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
There is a perfect storm building, with U.S. encryption warnings, EU chat-control proposals and a new lawsuit claiming harm from Apple’s failure to scan content for illicit CSAM, again as a result of its end-to-end encryption.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
These groups also have an interest in protecting and controlling their remaining constituencies, and preserving as much of their legitimate and illicit business activities as possible.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
The younger Biden had denied use of illicit drugs while filling out that form — a claim that was a lie, as some tawdry testimony at his trial made clear.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illicit 
Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
There is a perfect storm building, with U.S. encryption warnings, EU chat-control proposals and a new lawsuit claiming harm from Apple’s failure to scan content for illicit CSAM, again as a result of its end-to-end encryption.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
These groups also have an interest in protecting and controlling their remaining constituencies, and preserving as much of their legitimate and illicit business activities as possible.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
The younger Biden had denied use of illicit drugs while filling out that form — a claim that was a lie, as some tawdry testimony at his trial made clear.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 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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Currently incarcerated in Utah, YoungBoy faces six charges of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, as well as charges related to a pattern of unlawful activity stemming from a May 2023 arrest.Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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Some are called because of incorrect ingredient information on packet labels or unlawful importation, for example.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 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 22 Dec. 2024.
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