BLACK MARKET Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

black market 1 of 2

noun

Definition of black market

as in trade

a system through which things are bought and sold illegally The black market in prescription drugs is thriving. They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.

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black-market

2 of 2

verb

as in to smuggle

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of black market

Noun

The iconic insect-eating plants are native to remote parts of coastal North and South Carolina, and are a popular target of poaching for the global black market. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 The illicit activity came to light in 2023, when the former Harvard Medical School morgue manager was indicted for conspiring to steal body parts from cadavers donated to the Boston institution and sell them on the black market. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

An investigation by the National Post reported a price drop of 70 percent or more for black-market pills in cities that had instituted safer supply. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Together, those accounts represent nearly $220 million in potential black-market sales, with threat actors increasing both the number of accounts offered and their asking prices as demand for matches grows. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for black market

Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market

Noun

Monkeys, tigers, exotic birds destined for the pet trade or as trophies, reptiles and sea cucumbers prized for food and medicine all pass through the region's airports and border crossings, according to officials with the network.

— John Donegan LONG BEACH POST, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
The group was founded by Amazon, Netflix and YouTube and is led by TechNet, a tech-industry trade group that has 106 member companies.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of trade

Verb

Large quantities of gold have been smuggled out of the country to finance the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, who control gold-producing areas in Darfur and Kordofan regions, according to experts commissioned by the United Nations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Large quantities of gold have been smuggled out of the country to finance the RSF, which controls gold-producing areas in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, according to experts commissioned by the United Nations.

— Yasir Abdallah, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of smuggle

Noun

The Biden administration’s absolute restriction on peptides resulted in Americans turning to the gray market without being properly educated.

— Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
On some looksmaxxing forums, men coach each other on how to administer filler on themselves, with materials obtained on the black or gray market.

— Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of gray market

Verb

In the second-season finale, some time after Aemond had killed Rhaenyra’s son Luke, Alicent arrives in secret to Dragonstone to barter Aegon’s life in exchange for peace, and safety in particular for her daughter (and Aegon’s wife) Helaena.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Through three tedious roll calls, Roosevelt forces bartered with delegations and finally put their man over the top on the fourth try when House Speaker John Nance Garner folded his candidacy in exchange for the vice presidential nomination.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Definition of barter

Noun

Amenities and experiences Due to its size and location, the NH Palazzo Cinquecento is a popular business hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Hoffman brings more than three decades of experience across consumer and luxury businesses, including senior leadership roles at Ted Baker Americas, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, Lacoste, Gant, Benetton and Scotch & Soda.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of business

Verb

After the songs were bootlegged for years, Coe began selling them on his website in 2000, though without his name on them.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
With Dallas leading 27-21 and San Francisco driving late in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana and the 49ers lined up in a split formation, with Montana bootlegging out to the right upon taking the snap.

— R.J. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026

Definition of bootleg

Noun

My patients tell me the apps have turned dating into a competitive marketplace marked by quick and easy rejection.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
The company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) page now redirects to Rocket Mortgage, so reviews are no longer applicable for the marketplace.

— Dan Simms, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of marketplace

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blackmails

black market

black-market

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Style

“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of black market

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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