Illicit
Illicit adjective - Contrary to or forbidden by law.
Usage example: had a long history of using illicit drugs
Unlawful is a synonym for illicit in illegal topic. In some cases you can use "Unlawful" instead the word "Illicit" as an adjective or an adverb, when it comes to topics like right, illegitimate, prohibited, forbidden. popular alternative
Nearby Word: illicitly
Unlawful
Unlawful adjective - Contrary to or forbidden by law.
Usage example: it is unlawful to set off fireworks within the city limits
Illicit is a synonym for unlawful in right topic. You can use "Illicit" instead the word "Unlawful" as an adjective or an adverb, if it concerns topics such as illegitimate, illegal, prohibited, contraband. popular alternative
Nearby Words: unlawfulness, unlawfully
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Cite this Source
Unlawful and Illicit. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/illicit/unlawful
Illicit & Unlawful. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/illicit/unlawful>.
Unlawful or Illicit. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/illicit/unlawful.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "illicit" and "unlawful" have occurred on timeline