BLACKBALL Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

blackball 1 of 2

verb

ˈblak-ˌbȯl

Definition of blackball

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

as in veto

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Social media rumors swirled that the league was blackballing her because of her activism. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 4 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

Verb

The case had not gone to trial yet, and the charges were dismissed Wednesday as a result of his death, records show.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
He was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury, but the second charge was later dismissed after the substances tested for were not found to be present in his blood, the statement at the time read.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of dismiss

Noun

Both totals represent sufficient support to overcome a potential presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

— John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Trump had 10 days until the Friday deadline to sign the bill, issue a veto, or allow the measure to take effect without his signature.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of veto

Noun

Sore from the torment of her family’s banishment, Espinoza feels the pulse of current events.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The appeals court ruled in September 2025 that Mid Vermont Christian must be allowed to participate in state athletics, after two years of banishment had passed.

— Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of banishment

Verb

Massive explosions lit up the night sky as ballistic missiles and drones hammered parts of the city, killing at least 14 people in the city and three others in the surrounding region, with dozens more wounded, city officials said.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Alicent and Helaena will be held prisoner until Aemond is found and killed.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of kill

Noun

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
During the global debt crisis of the 1980s, the choice between debt servicing by means of an IMF program and ostracism from global markets was put on broad display.

— Sven van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of ostracism

Verb

Vehicle stops can be inherently fraught and unpredictable, with the person behind the wheel in control of thousands of pounds of steel that can pose great risk should a driver refuse to comply or simply panic and flee.

— Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
There was more talk of hitting a provisional, but Spieth refused.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of refuse

Noun

This strategic refusal is a major plot point in the episode, reflecting a history that led the New York Times to report in 1921 that the Osage had the greatest per capita wealth in the world.

— Max Gao, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Tensions between the two countries mounted last year with Spain's refusal to commit to investing 5% of GDP annually on defense by 2035, after other member states agreed to the target at last year's summit.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of refusal

Browse Nearby Words

black-a-vised

blackball

blackballed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Blackball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackball. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackball

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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