illicitly

[ ih-lis-it-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is not legally permitted or authorized; unlawfully:

   She estimates that more than one-third of all software installed on personal computers is obtained illicitly.

2. in a way that is disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons:

   In divorce proceedings, “corespondent” means the person that one of the partners has been illicitly sleeping with.

Word History and Origins

Origin of illicitly¹

First recorded in 1660–70; illicit ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

The danger that Mr Diriye faces is a recurring reality that many smugglers endure while illicitly ferrying alcohol from Ethiopia to Mogadishu, in order to quench the growing demand.

From BBC

The Windsor Framework aims to radically simplify the original proposal while also including measures which give the EU assurance that goods will not illicitly enter its market.

From BBC

The coroner concluded that the treatment - which is offered both in the US and the UK - was not responsible for Perry's death due to ketamine, which prosecutors allege was supplied to him illicitly.

From BBC

That may seem sketchy, but many Americans have imported real medications such as insulin illicitly from Canada and Mexico for years because the prices are so much lower outside the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

The reimbursements were recorded as being for legal expenses, which prosecutors say was a fraudulent label designed to conceal the purpose of the hush money transaction and to illicitly interfere in the 2016 election.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• unjustifiably
• unjustly
• wrongly