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.
Related Words
Relevance
as in to smuggle
Related Words
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
Michael Goldberg Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
That hasn’t stopped a thriving black market from taking hold in the state.
—Michael Goldberg, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Gambling apologists argue that the recent revelations are proof that new laws are working—offshore sportsbooks and black-market bookies never coordinated with law enforcement to flag suspicious bets the way FanDuel and DraftKings do now.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Noun
That hasn't stopped a thriving black market from taking hold in the state.
—Michael Goldberg Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
That hasn’t stopped a thriving black market from taking hold in the state.
—Michael Goldberg, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to court records, Gentek sold more than $42 million of black-market HIV drugs to the Boyds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Gambling apologists argue that the recent revelations are proof that new laws are working—offshore sportsbooks and black-market bookies never coordinated with law enforcement to flag suspicious bets the way FanDuel and DraftKings do now.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
-
The center fielder from Cuba, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a January trade, also had two RBI singles Thursday in his New York debut.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Outfielder Alan Roden, acquired by the Twins at last July’s MLB trade deadline, sealed the victory with a two-run double that broke a 7-7 tie in the eighth innings.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At times, people also rely on kolbars to smuggle themselves across the border.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Data shows a similar drop in overdose deaths in Canada, where fentanyl supplies are usually produced from Chinese chemicals inside the country rather than smuggled in.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Outside of the clinic, an eager gray market has sprung up, selling unofficial versions of the drugs.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Once a gray market is thriving, who, if anyone, will foot the bill for rigorous research?—
Sara Talpos — Undark,
STAT,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thus, the Campanos wanted Owen dead, but Frank’s long-standing friendship with Nicholas allowed the latter to barter and keep Hannah and Bailey out of the fray so long as Owen stayed away from them.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
-
According to reports, the Wolves are boxing the likes of the Knicks, Heat and Warriors in this fight, with Minnesota having no valuable draft compensation with which to barter.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Within days, China’s surprise intervention in the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving their businesses offshore.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Chalker’s strategy for clearing his reputation—which had been the foundation of his lucrative business—was unexpected, to say the least.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The fact we’re getting bootlegged and people are grabbing our voices and using ’em, rap needs to be taken as serious as any other genre!—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
11 July 2025
-
In 1920s Anaheim, the big local issue was bootlegging and Catholics, who were seen as foreigners in what was supposed to be an Anglo-Saxon Protestant country.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Chicago police on Sunday were looking for a robber using social media marketplaces to lure victims.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But proving these are marketplaces poses its challenges.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to investigators, Ghazali was also armed with a rifle and killed himself after exchanging gunfire with the synagogue's security guards.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
His truck went around 200 feet down a hallway of the building, and Ghazali exchanged gunfire with Temple Israel security before he is seen lighting the fireworks.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
