contraband

adjective

Definition of contrabandnext
as in prohibited
not legally permissible to possess, import, or export The customs agents searched the shipping containers for contraband items.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contraband
  1. prohibited
  2. unauthorized
  3. forbidden
  4. illicit
Adjective
  • For example, Customs and Border Protection in the United States maintains a list of prohibited and restricted items for anyone entering the US and links to other departments if permits are required.
    Erica Kasper, WIRED, 21 Aug. 2024
  • Travelers can visit the CBP website to learn more about prohibited and restricted items.
    Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2024
Definition of prohibited
Adjective
  • Its safeguards are designed to prevent unauthorized duplication or distribution of digital media, potentially saving media companies in the United States over $100 billion annually.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Regularly review your account statements to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
Definition of unauthorized
Adjective
  • Within the forbidden halls of Division Five, Suzie finds all the windows covered with plywood.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 10 July 2024
  • Countless vampire stories make the allure of the vampire as some sort of forbidden fruit—tantalizing, but a bite will invariably lead to ruin.
    James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
Definition of forbidden
Adjective
  • The woman, 29, arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand on a flight from Vancouver on December 8 carrying the illicit drugs in her carry-on bag, according to a release from the New Zealand Customs Service.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Most drones that are sighted appear to be larger than typical hobbyist models, which has also heightened concerns about their potential use for surveillance or other illicit purposes.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Definition of illicit
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Thesaurus Entries Near contraband

contra

contraband

contrabandist

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Cite this Entry

“Contraband.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contraband. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contraband

Nglish: Translation of contraband for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of contraband for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contraband

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