Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

unlicensed

[uhn-lahy-suhnst] / ʌnˈlaɪ sənst /
ADJECTIVE
illegal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
banned criminal illegitimate illicit irregular outlawed prohibited smuggled unauthorized unconstitutional unlawful unwarranted wrongful
WEAK
actionable black-market bootleg contraband crooked extralegal felonious forbidden heavy hot interdicted lawless not approved not legal outside the law proscribed prosecutable racket shady sub-rosa taboo under-the-table unofficial unwarrantable verboten violating wildcat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
authorized blessed ethical good justifiable lawful legal legitimate moral permitted right warranted
WEAK
allowed permissible
ADJECTIVE
illicit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adulterous bootleg clandestine contraband furtive illegal illegitimate immoral improper prohibited unauthorized unlawful 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
ADJECTIVE
outlawed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
banned prohibited
STRONG
bootleg crooked forbidden interdicted proscribed racket smuggled taboo violating
WEAK
actionable black-market contraband criminal extralegal felonious heavy hot illegitimate illicit irregular lawless not approved not legal outside the law prosecutable shady sub-rosa unauthorized unconstitutional under-the-table unlawful unofficial unwarrantable unwarranted verboten wildcat wrongful
Antonyms
STRONG
allowed
ADJECTIVE
unlawful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate illicit improper lawless nefarious prohibited unauthorized wrongful
WEAK
actionable banned bootleg criminal flagitious forbidden iniquitous outlawed taboo under-the-counter
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allowed authorized blessed ethical good lawful legal legitimate licit moral permitted proper right rightful

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.

Unlicensed mining has been drastically reduced over time.

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

Unlicensed shops remain a common sight in commercial districts across L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2024

Unlicensed sellers rushed to fill the vacuum in New York.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

"Unlicensed private entities like hotels or film halls are not permitted to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar card," the initial release read.

From Reuters • May 29, 2022

Towards the close of the period, Milton manifested extraordinary power in prose writing; his defense of the "Liberty of Unlicensed Printing" is one of the most impressive pieces of eloquence in the English tongue.

From Handbook of Universal Literature From the Best and Latest Authorities by Botta, Anne C. Lynch

Vocabulary lists containing unlicensed

100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 4

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!