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
Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
In retaliation, landowners might poison the birds, kill them with slingshots, or trap them to sell on the black market.
—Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
This has only empowered black-market competitors with cheaper products and laxer standards.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black market
Noun
The black market existed expressly to exploit these market inefficiencies.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
In retaliation, landowners might poison the birds, kill them with slingshots, or trap them to sell on the black market.
—Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Smith will be playing the role of black-market art dealer, Ruskin.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
This has only empowered black-market competitors with cheaper products and laxer standards.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
-
Trump originally accused the bank of trade libel and violating state and federal unfair and deceptive trade practices.—
Ken Sweet,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Leddy’s cap hit is likely too much for other teams to absorb in a trade, but a new deal with a smaller cap hit would be easier to swallow.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Another video showed the volunteers smuggling in food killed and dumped in a ditch.—
Yousra Elbagir,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
-
On the anniversary itself, July 4, Leo will be visiting the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, the main arrival point of migrants who are smuggled to Europe from north Africa.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 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
-
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
-
The Cleveland Fed reported that some businesses, now that the worst of the volatility seems to have settled, are now managing to barter down prices.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As talented journalists go independent on Substack and YouTube and other legacy publications like The New York Times lean into personalization in nearly every element of their business, The Economist has resisted change.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The rear seat space appears generous for the segment, and the tray is sized to meet both family and business needs.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 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
-
The ruling is a reminder that some judges view antitrust lawsuits over Division I athlete eligibility as fundamentally a question of economic competition—namely, an athlete selling their services to the marketplace of college buyers—rather than an educational or social issue.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Expect rare varieties, elaborate floral installations, and a marketplace for collectors and hobbyists alike.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So precarious is the species’ survival that the eggs were exchanged for fake replacements while the real ones were incubated indoors.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The mother and daughter, both in tears, exchanged a quick hug before Estrada Juarez was taken away.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
