illicit

[ih-lis-it]

adjective

1. not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful.

   Synonyms: prohibited, illegitimate

2. disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons.

illicit

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

adjective

1. another word for illegal

2. not allowed or approved by common custom, rule, or standard

   illicit sexual relations

Other Word Forms

• illicitly adverb
• illicitness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illicit¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin illicitus, equivalent to il- ² + licit ( def. )

Synonym Study

See illegal.

Example Sentences

His clients, he said, are innocent and there were no illicit materials on their electronics.

Read more on Salon

That would seem to point to Mexico, the major land corridor for illicit drugs destined for the U.S. market.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But such measures often trigger unintended consequences - from thriving black markets and deaths from illicit brews, to enforcement challenges that drain state resources.

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Some "shadow" ships are even suspected of undersea sabotage, illicit drone launches or "spoofing" their location data.

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French officials say the case against Shein forms part of a wider investigation into other major e-commerce platforms accused of allowing illicit products to be sold online.

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Related Words

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