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
Complete with dark web monitoring alerts, secure vault and credential sharing, and emergency access for trusted contacts, Proton Pass Plus handles total account tracking for top-notch online privacy.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 4 June 2026
No, dark web monitoring does not put your information at risk.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
From that baseline, protection needs to operate across four domains simultaneously: personal privacy foundations (dark web monitoring, credential exposure), home network security with active penetration testing, device-level hardening and malware protection, and incident response.
—Keegan Crage, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Schools and colleges scramble A ransomware group known as ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach on its dark web site.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Offers three-credit-bureau monitoring, VPN, dark web monitoring, password manager, email aliases and instant credit lock.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Analysts reviewing the breach noted that the targeted Gmail account matches an address previously associated with Patel in earlier data exposures tracked by dark web intelligence firms.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
Many bank checking accounts, such as Arvest’s checking products, also offer additional benefits, including identity theft coverage with dark web monitoring, credit score tracking, roadside assistance and bundled discounts on various products.
—Barbara White, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
What begins as an apparent suicide quickly unravels into a dark web of deceit, betrayal, and murder.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Dec. 2025
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.
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 4 June 2026
No, dark web monitoring does not put your information at risk.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
From that baseline, protection needs to operate across four domains simultaneously: personal privacy foundations (dark web monitoring, credential exposure), home network security with active penetration testing, device-level hardening and malware protection, and incident response.
—Keegan Crage, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Schools and colleges scramble A ransomware group known as ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach on its dark web site.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Offers three-credit-bureau monitoring, VPN, dark web monitoring, password manager, email aliases and instant credit lock.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Analysts reviewing the breach noted that the targeted Gmail account matches an address previously associated with Patel in earlier data exposures tracked by dark web intelligence firms.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
Many bank checking accounts, such as Arvest’s checking products, also offer additional benefits, including identity theft coverage with dark web monitoring, credit score tracking, roadside assistance and bundled discounts on various products.
—Barbara White, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
What begins as an apparent suicide quickly unravels into a dark web of deceit, betrayal, and murder.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dark web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20web. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
