illicit

Adjective complement with noun phrase

• do: I accuse nobody without proof, because I realize it's just as bad to accuse someone frivolously as to do something illicit.

Modifies a noun

• trafficking: The fight against the illicit traffic in cultural property The extent of illicit trafficking has never been greater.
• antiquity: No provenance is what keeps the trade in illicit antiquities alive.
• brokering: The fifth cluster focused on the issues of import/export controls and illicit brokering.
• distillation: The new duty structure was intended to prevent illicit distillation in Great Britain: it was a compromise designed to protect the spirit revenue.
• drug: Like most illicit drugs, you can never be sure of what is in them.
• distiller: He stood six feet four inches tall and his stature helped to silence any of the illicit distillers who challenged the newly licensed distillery.

Modifying Another Word

• often: Saying you understand will often illicit a grunt at best.
• only: The profits to be made encourage not only illicit plundering of ancient sites but skillful forgeries.
• apparently: I do not have time this evening to unravel the complexities of this apparently illicit relationship.
• entirely: As the supply chain is entirely illicit, there are no legitimate manufacturers with whom the government can work to restrict supply.
• not: But we're not illicit any more, so you're going to have to stop being that too.