under-the-counter
adjective
un·der-the-count·er ˈən-dər-ṯẖə-ˈkau̇n-tər 
: surreptitious and usually irregular or illicit
under-the-counter liquor sales
Word History
Etymology
from the hiding of illicit wares under the counter of stores where they are sold
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above
under-the-counter
adjective
as in under-the-table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- under-the-table
- unauthorized
- unlicensed
- bootleg
- contraband
- illicit
- unapproved
- unsanctioned
- smuggled
- criminal
- improper
- illegal
- felonious
- wrongful
- unlawful
- outlawed
- forbidden
- proscribed
- prohibited
- banned
- criminalized
- disallowed
- illegitimate
- interdicted
- barred
- discouraged
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permitted
- licensed
- authorized
- approved
- legal
- endorsed
- proper
- legitimate
- promoted
- sanctioned
- lawful
- decorous
- supported
- decent
- allowed
- correct
- suggested
- encouraged
- abetted
- indorsed
- seemly
- empathised
- empathises
- empathising
- empathize
- empathize (with)
- empathize with
- empathized
- empathized (with)
- empathized with
- empathizer
- empathizers
- empathizes
- empathizes (with)
- empathizes with
- empathizing
- empathizing (with)
- empathizing with
- empathy
- empearl
- Empedoclean
- Empedocles
- empeine
- empennage
- empennages
- empeople