Illicit and Elicit

Illicit and elicit

Illicit means improper or not permitted by custom or law.

The lovers carried on with their illicit affair.

The dealer continued his illicit sale of drugs.

Elicit means to bring about or provoke a response.

The actor’s speech elicited a powerful emotional response from the audience.

Despite hours of questioning, detectives could elicit little of use from the suspect.