illicitness
Quality of forbiddenness
Illicitness is the quality of being forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
The word carries a stronger connotation of moral wrongness than mere illegality: the illicitness of their affair, the illicitness of the arms trade.
Something's illicitness often adds to its allure or danger.
Forbidden by statute
- crimePunishable illegal act
- felonySerious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
fraud · trafficking · racketeering · embezzlement · bribery · extortion · contraband · criminality
Officially not permitted
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- outlawedForbidden by law
- verbotenProhibited by authority
- interdictedProhibited by decree
unauthorized · unsanctioned · disallowed · barred · contraband · embargoed · restricted · off-limits
Minor rule breach
- infringementViolation of rights
- breachBreaking of agreement
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- misconductImproper professional behavior
wrongdoing · trespass · contravention · transgression · encroachment · dereliction · noncompliance · malfeasance
Concealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
hidden · secretive · cloak-and-dagger · concealed · undetected · covert · underground · backdoor
Cultural or social prohibition
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- disgraceLoss of honor
impropriety · indecency · transgression · sinful · immoral · unethical · wrongful · disreputable
unlawful
Forbidden by statute
- crimePunishable illegal act
- felonySerious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
smuggling · fraud · trafficking · racketeering · embezzlement · bribery · extortion · contraband · criminality · lawbreaking
prohibited
Officially not permitted
interdicted · unauthorized · unsanctioned · disallowed · barred · contraband · embargoed · restricted · off-limits · taboo
infraction
Minor rule breach
- infringementViolation of rights
- breachBreaking of agreement
- offenseViolation or umbrage
misconduct · wrongdoing · trespass · contravention · transgression · encroachment · dereliction · noncompliance · malfeasance · malpractice
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
undercover · hidden · secretive · cloak-and-dagger · concealed · undetected · covert · underground · backdoor · under-the-table
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
disgrace · impropriety · indecency · transgression · sinful · immoral · unethical · wrongful · disreputable · unseemly
illicitnesslegality
Conformance with law
lawfulness · legitimacy · permissibility · authorization · compliance
illicitnesspropriety
Correctness of conduct
legitimacy · righteousness · moral rectitude · virtue · ethicality
illicitnesslegitimacy
Lawful or rightful status
acceptability · respectability · propriety · openness · conventionality
illegal, legitimate, illicit, licit, legality, legitimize, illicitly