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

In the Siberian city of Irkutsk, police fined four people on Monday, accusing them of reselling gas on the black market at inflated prices, according to the region’s Interior Ministry. — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 This new black market first emerged nearly as soon as ChatGPT’s release, gaining steam three to five years ago along with the AI buildout, said David Warrick, executive vice president of supply-chain risk management firm Overhaul. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Verb

Since 2011, Syria has lost 85 percent of its gross domestic product; 90 percent of the population is poor and relies on black-market imports from Turkey. — Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026 The ongoing investigation, led by Reisig, is sprawling, involving dozens of search warrants and arrests in Los Angeles County and Crescent City aimed at piercing the black-market world of fireworks that fueled the blast. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for black market

Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market

Noun

Considering the Cowboys already traded a 2027 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick in exchange for Williams before the trade deadline last season, the investment into the four-time Pro Bowler stands to grow much larger.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
An old scout has identified several key trade targets to bolster the team.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of trade

Noun

Recently, Overton has been involved in drafting new policies for the use of peptides, short chains of amino acids that are available on the gray market but that, in many cases, have scant scientific evidence to support their safety or efficacy.

— Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Injectable versions of peptides are already being sold widely online for everything from muscle recovery to longevity via the unregulated or gray market.

— Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of gray market

Verb

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
Fromage fest One of the oldest cheese shops in Paris, Fromagerie La Fontaine has been bartering its bries and bleus since 1890.

— Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

Definition of barter

Noun

For Moore, opening her own shop was never simply about owning a business.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Free The Charlotte Pride Festival will feature live music, including a performance by Lauren Sanderson, along with hundreds of vendors, community organizations, food trucks and local businesses.

— Evan Moore August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 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

Whatnot has become one of the largest live shopping marketplaces outside Asia, raising multibillion-dollar valuations as the demand for an interactive shopping experience grows.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Major Matt Mason was one of the first serious space toys to exist in the marketplace, first hitting the shelves of toy shops and department stores across the country in 1966.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of marketplace

Verb

The Need To Move Beyond Exchange Of Data In the healthcare sector, interoperability efforts have historically focused on ensuring that systems can exchange data.

— Bindu Madhavi Mangalampalli, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
In January, the bank asked the judge to throw out Arbuckle’s claims, arguing that evidence exchanged by both sides showed no key factual disputes requiring a jury to resolve.

— Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of exchange

Browse Nearby Words

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Style

“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of black market

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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