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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Dissimilar Words

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

Several officials, including Caruso, suggested that the heist could have been carried out by professionals or on commission for the black market, although the prosecutor’s office have not confirmed any theories. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 Eli Lilly’s cracking down on black market retatrutide, and new biotech Khartis Therapeutics emerges with $95 million. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

The similarly incisive Black Money for White Nights, by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov, is very much cut from the same cloth, set in the same post-Soviet black-market economy where everyone is on the take. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 July 2026 Fruit, candy, and dessert-like flavors already proliferate among black-market e-cigarettes. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for black market

Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market

Noun

Between April and July, Russian exports to India rose nearly 60% from last year, according to India's latest trade data.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The partnership between two outsiders clawing their way in, joined by an equally canny journalist played by Claire Foy, comes to shape Fleet Street, the London thoroughfare where scribblers plied their trade, in Lamb’s and Murdoch’s images.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of trade

Verb

Simonian is believed to have smuggled Egyptian relics to institutions that include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre Abu Dhabi for a collective sum of $64 million.

— News Desk, Artforum, 26 Aug. 2026
Five men pleaded guilty in federal court this month to smuggling millions of dollars worth of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to South Florida hidden in compartments on sport fishing boats.

— David Goodhue August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 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

When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
The brothers’ defense lawyers countered that the UK allegations are years old, have not resulted in convictions, and their claims to be wealthy were exaggerated to promote online businesses and to generate attention.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 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

There is also a similar site for counter-drone kit called C-UAS marketplace.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Each spring, filmmakers, studio executives, producers, distributors, and creatives from around the globe gather on the French Riviera for the world’s most influential film festival and marketplace.

— IndieWire Staff, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of marketplace

Verb

In my experience, guests at other Awasis aren't much for mingling, but there are some exceptions among Brazilians, who are more likely to exchange friendly greetings after sharing a boat experience.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
First, the Huskies mixed it up with some marching band members on the practice field outside of Huskie Stadium, jumping in on a routine and exchanging fight songs, with the players chanting, clapping and pumping their fists during their version.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of exchange

Browse Nearby Words

blackmails

black market

black-market

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of black market

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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