Illicit
**Illicit means not allowed by law or custom. It’s illegal to kill endangered elephants, but many poachers still engage in the Illicit ivory trade.
This usually refers to something that is not morally proper or acceptable. Illicit activities — like smuggling or counterfeiting — happen under the radar of the law. This word is from Latin illicitus, from the prefix in-, “not,” plus licitus, “lawful.”
Related Definitions
– Contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention.
Synonyms:
adulterous, extracurricular, extramarital
unlawful
– Contrary to or forbidden by law.
“illicit trade”
illegal
Examples from books and articles
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This emphasis on illicit cash proved to be a winning effort, for nothing infuriated the law-abiding populace more than the image of the millionaire crack dealer.
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
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As a cover for illicit sex in the woods.
Outliers
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So many stars, it seemed like a celebration, a grand, illegal party the galaxy was holding after the humans had been put to bed.
We Were Liars
**DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘illicit’. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Alltypemeaning.com or its editors