Illicit
Illicit adjective - Contrary to or forbidden by law.
Usage example: had a long history of using illicit drugs
Sanctioned is an antonym for illicit.
Nearby Word: illicitly
Sanctioned
Sanctioned adjective - Ordered or allowed by those in authority.
Usage example: I cannot believe that this religious cult is a sanctioned student organization
Illicit is an antonym for sanctioned.
Nearby Words: sanction, sanctioning
Both words in one sentence
- Although they are similar and in many cases overlap, this is always sanctioned by the pervading culture whereas a duel is sometimes illicit.
Source: Trial by Combat - World War II POW's got a lot of stuff needed for both illicit escape attempts and sanctioned activities like theater by pinching items from their captors, supplemented by various items sent from home via YMCA or Red Cross.
Cite this Source
Sanctioned and Illicit. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/illicit/sanctioned
Illicit & Sanctioned. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/illicit/sanctioned>.
Sanctioned or Illicit. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/illicit/sanctioned.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "illicit" and "sanctioned" have occurred on timeline