black-market

1 of 2

verb

black-mar·​ket ˈblak-ˈmär-kət How to pronounce black-market (audio)
black-marketed; black-marketing; black-markets

intransitive verb

: to buy or sell goods in the black market

transitive verb

: to sell in the black market
black marketer noun
or black marketeer
black marketeering noun

black market

2 of 2

noun

: illicit trade in goods or commodities in violation of official regulations
also : a place where such trade is carried on

Examples of black-market in a Sentence

Noun The black market in prescription drugs is thriving. They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
In the 1960s, amid an international wave of conservation concern and critical population estimates falling into the thousands, researchers and biologists sounded the alarm on the impending collapse of the vicuña from black-market wool hunters. David Nolan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025 Cracking down on pain prescriptions has driven those suffering unbearable pain to dangerous black-market drugs. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 July 2025
Noun
Because of this, countries seeking out nuclear weapons often must turn to black markets or other clandestine methods in order to obtain the raw materials for fissile material — which is time-consuming and expensive. Brendan Rascius july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025 The Pyongyang regime also bought technology and hardware abroad through front companies or on the black market, according to U.N. monitors. Dan De Luce, NBC news, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for black-market

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1727, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-market was in 1727

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Black-market.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-market. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

black market

noun
: trade that is against government controls (as of prices or rationing)
also : the place where such trade is carried on
black marketer
-ˈmär-kət-ər
noun
or black marketeer
-ˌmär-kə-ˈti(ə)r

More from Merriam-Webster on black-market

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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