dark web
noun
variants
or less commonly Dark Web
: the set of web pages on the Internet that cannot be indexed by search engines, are not viewable in a standard web browser, require specific means (such as specialized software or network configuration) in order to access, and use encryption to provide anonymity and privacy for users
The dark web is only accessible by means of special software, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous. Once used by political dissidents, the dark web has become the Internet's black market, where visitors can buy anything from guns to drugs and fake IDs …—
Guillermo Contreras
compare deep web
Guillermo ContrerasExamples of dark web in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For those who want it all, the Ultimate plan introduces unlimited VPN and proactive identity protection, including dark web scanning and $1M in identity recovery insurance.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
With Norton that means Norton 360, which gets you the Antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, along with a VPN and dark web monitoring, for up to three devices.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 6 Mar. 2026
According to Google's support page, the system ceased scanning for new dark web data on January 15, 2026, and the reporting function was removed entirely on February 16, 2026, meaning users can no longer access the feature.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
In addition to cash payments, class members are being offered five years of free identity theft protection, dark web monitoring and genetic anomaly detection services.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump has made a number of high-profile pardons during his second term, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge in 2023, and Ross Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence for creating the Silk Road dark web marketplace.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
But a leading space cybersecurity researcher warns that many such attacks have previously gone unnoticed and that sensitive data including email credentials of ESA, and also NASA, employees are frequently offered for sale on dark web forums.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
According to authorities, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence on March 6, 2024, and allegedly found an unapproved cellphone that contained a dark web application.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026
Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, on January 21.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
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Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
With Norton that means Norton 360, which gets you the Antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, along with a VPN and dark web monitoring, for up to three devices.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 6 Mar. 2026
According to Google's support page, the system ceased scanning for new dark web data on January 15, 2026, and the reporting function was removed entirely on February 16, 2026, meaning users can no longer access the feature.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
In addition to cash payments, class members are being offered five years of free identity theft protection, dark web monitoring and genetic anomaly detection services.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump has made a number of high-profile pardons during his second term, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge in 2023, and Ross Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence for creating the Silk Road dark web marketplace.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
But a leading space cybersecurity researcher warns that many such attacks have previously gone unnoticed and that sensitive data including email credentials of ESA, and also NASA, employees are frequently offered for sale on dark web forums.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
According to authorities, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence on March 6, 2024, and allegedly found an unapproved cellphone that contained a dark web application.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026
Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, on January 21.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dark web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20web. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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