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blackball 1 of 2

verb

ˈblak-ˌbȯl How to pronounce blackball (audio)
Definition of blackballnext
as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote he was disappointed to learn that he had been blackballed by the fraternity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blackball

2 of 2

noun

1
as in veto

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in banishment

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 blackball
Verb
In an ugly break with tradition, three of Herbst’s colleagues blackballed his two appointees from serving on city boards in April 2025. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2026 Even a popular New York City venue allegedly uses it to blackball people its millionaire owner considers adversaries. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Even a popular New York City venue allegedly uses it to blackball people its millionaire owner considers adversaries. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 For more than 20 years, apologists for Israel have sought to shame, blackball, and fire professors who criticize Israeli policy. — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blackball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackball
  1. dismiss
  2. veto
  3. banishment
  4. kill
  5. con
  6. ostracism
  7. refuse
  8. refusal
Verb
  • Third, Whyte and others dismiss our conclusion because many of the studies examining AI in medicine are simulations.
    — Abe Baker-Butler, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026
  • If the case is not settled, dismissed or dropped before the trial date, it would be heard during the 2028 presidential primary elections.
    — Violet Jira, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Noun
  • If Newsom vetoes the bill, the legislature could decide to hold another vote to override the veto.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ten houseguests will quickly become nine in one night all without an HOH, veto or BB Blockbuster.
    — Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • Enes Kanter Freedom filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Sky after his banishment from Wintrust Arena.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Any transgression of new standards of speech and behavior could put someone at risk of social banishment, in the truly despotic shape of cancellation.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of banishment
Verb
  • In January 2025, an American Airlines regional jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • This is, quite frankly, baloney — who’s to say the Manhunter didn’t kill and take the form of someone already living in the town?
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of kill
Noun
  • Appearances and cons and work in general need to take back seat to treatment.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The entire group of selectors would then debate the pros and cons of that candidate before voting.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of con
Noun
  • Indeed, any ambitious scientist had to be in the good graces of these Big Players or risk financial ostracism and effective banishment from the halls of Big Science.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Expect the backlash, posing risks of fandom ostracism for any significant animator seemingly endorsing AI, to play out at late June’s Annecy Festival.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 1 June 2026
Definition of ostracism
Verb
  • The report said Evans first refused to give officers his name and then spit into one officer's face after being taken into custody.
    — Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The prospect of Sean Steur or Lewis Hall — whose contract situation Wilson refused to be drawn on, despite being asked three times — leaving is not something which frightens the hierarchy.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of refuse
Noun
  • That refusal to let escape read as simple freedom extends to how Roy treats her characters’ circumstances more broadly.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In England, boxer Jane Couch took the British Board of Boxing Control to an industrial tribunal over their refusal to grant her (or any woman) a professional boxing licence.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusal

Browse Nearby Words

black-a-vised
blackball
blackballed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blackball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackball. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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