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.

It offers new measures against illicit finance and new authorities to address misuse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

It was the stock ticker’s 1869 introduction that brought trading, legal and illicit, to the masses.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Mosbah, who leads the anti-racism group Mnèmty, had been charged with money laundering and illicit enrichment and was arrested in May 2024.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

My heart speeds up like I’m doing something illicit.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

Vocabulary lists containing illicit

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