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

If a state purchases manufactured drugs on the black market, which comes at a huge markup, that breaks pharmaceutical company distribution controls. — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 If by accident, why keep feeding resources and people to these wars against black markets? — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Carts allegedly operating as black-market, private-hire vehicles can be banned from the streets for over a month, or drivers slapped with 4,000-euro ($4,600) fines for unlicensed tour guiding. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 As Collin presents the French side of the Occupation, the Parisians are either victims, black-market opportunists, or accomplices of one sort or another. — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for black market

Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market

Noun

Every transformer on the grid—from the cylinders perched on utility lines to the big spiky devices at substations—trades voltage for current at a fixed ratio.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Pavel Dorofeyev, the team’s most notable trade acquisition over the summer, came close on several occasions but remained stuck on two goals for the season.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of trade

Verb

No, the scene exists so that Fielder can smuggle in some of his signature comedy fixations.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
But at sea, Spanish guarda costas (armed customs officials) pounced on British ships, allegedly searching for goods being smuggled in for sale.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of smuggle

Noun

The buzz around retatrutide has contributed to a thriving gray market serving people looking for serious weight loss who aren’t interested in waiting for the FDA to approve the drug.

— Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Suppliers on the gray market can include compounding pharmacies, med spas, and telehealth companies.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 15 Sep. 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

Tan-Gillespie eventually became the first in her family to attend college, studying business at the University of Plymouth and graduating in 1996.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Scott Alexander, president of Propulsion Systems within L3Harris’ Missile Solutions business, said the design combines propulsion expertise with advanced seeker technology.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 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

With the major powers heading to the moon, low-Earth orbit becoming busier than ever, and countless new companies entering the space marketplace, the hiring pipeline is more critical than ever.

— Space.com Staff, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
As a result of sticker shock, Ohio saw the biggest drop — tied with Oklahoma for the most in the nation — in the number of people enrolled in the marketplace last year, with a nearly 33% decline in enrollment.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 23 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of black market

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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