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

Lawmakers stress the need for clear, sensible regulations to prevent a black market, ensure consumer safety, and support businesses, especially as the Senate recently voted to delay the impending ban. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The government has rationed fuel sales, and on the black market a liter of gasoline sells for as much as $10. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Fruit, candy, and dessert-like flavors already proliferate among black-market e-cigarettes. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 6 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for black market

Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market

Noun

Warships, mammoth bones and parts of ancient constructions all have emerged from the slumping waters of the Danube, the Rhine and other rivers in the scorching drought that has also disrupted trade, power and water supplies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
As the war with Iran continues and both sides seek to control the strait, through which 25% of the world's oil trade transited before the war began in February, oil prices have reached their highest level since July.

— August 20, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of trade

Verb

Treasury accused the family of using its fishing vessels to help smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine from South America to Mexico while providing refueling services for go-fast boats transporting drugs across the eastern Pacific.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Attackers can capitalize on the predilection by smuggling harmful instructions into emails or webpages the assistant is instructed to summarize.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 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

For most, though, the dress is business casual, matching the growing casualness of their behavior in the box over the course of long sessions.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
At the same time, marketing leaders are looking more closely at how agency work connects to business performance, not simply whether a campaign gets attention.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of black market

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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