Definitions

illicit

[ih-lis-it] / ɪˈlɪs ɪt /

ADJECTIVE

not legal; forbidden

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adulterous bootleg clandestine contraband furtive illegal illegitimate immoral improper prohibited unauthorized unlawful unlicensed wrongful

WEAK

black-market contrary to law criminal crooked dirty felonious guilty heavy in violation of law lawless out of line racket wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aboveboard allowed authorized chaste ethical forthright good lawful legal legitimate moral open permitted pure right truthful uncorrupt

WEAK

blessed licit noble proper

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a February town hall with Gates Foundation employees, Gates acknowledged it was a mistake to meet with Epstein and said he had not engaged in any illicit conduct.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

But he warned a deposit scheme would encourage people to buy from illicit retailers who didn't make them pay it.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

"Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil’s borders, across our region and into our country."

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Stablecoins account for 84% of illicit crypto activity such as sanctions evasion and money laundering, according to Chainalysis.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

He found that the peasants’ vocabulary didn’t even have a word for illicit drugs, which almost no one could afford anyway.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Vocabulary lists containing illicit

Some Tricky Homonyms

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This Week in Words: September 1 - 7, 2018

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Brave New World

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