ill-gotten

American  

[il-got-n] / ˈɪlˈgɒt n /

adjective

1. acquired by dishonest, improper, or evil means.

   ill-gotten gains.

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ill-gotten British  

adjective

1. obtained dishonestly or illegally (esp in the phrase ill-gotten gains )

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Etymology

Origin of ill-gotten

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

Nowhere does Holmes offer the slightest expression of guilt or remorse for her considerable ill-gotten gains.

From Los Angeles Times

The days when dictators could live in gilded exile with fortunes in secret Swiss bank accounts are mostly over, primarily because of global mechanisms for adjudicating human-rights abuses and tracking ill-gotten gains.

From The Wall Street Journal

A Cambodian conglomerate whose founder has had more than $15 billion of allegedly ill-gotten assets seized said it "categorically rejects" claims he amassed his fortune running an internet scam empire.

From Barron's

He even bought a house for his mother using the ill-gotten cash, prosecutors alleged.

From Los Angeles Times

Additionally, it seeks monetary damages equal to the profits made from the trademark: “so that Defendants are fully disgorged of their ill-gotten gains.”

From Los Angeles Times