BLACKBALLING Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

blackballing

verb

present participle of blackball

as in dismissing

to reject by or as if by a vote he was disappointed to learn that he had been blackballed by the fraternity

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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 blackballing Social media rumors swirled that the league was blackballing her because of her activism. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 4 May 2026 Last week, Google made sweepstakes ineligible for advertising certification, effectively blackballing them. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025 In the past, the Young Money rapper has accused Roc Nation of blackballing her and also owing her $200 million. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackballing

Verb

Washington has gone from dismissing Zelensky to seeking deals of its own with Ukraine.

— Thomas Nagorski, Time, 27 July 2026
An unchecked ego further erodes psychological safety, as dismissing feedback signals that team contributions are unwelcome, creating dangerous blind spots.

— Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

Oyer said she was fired for refusing to write a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi recommending that actor Mel Gibson have his firearm rights restored.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
But more often, those fighting trafficking live in their own silos, doing their own work, and often failing or refusing to share even scant details with other jurisdictions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

Willett faced some blowback after touting an endorsement from Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City police officer ever convicted for killing a Black man.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
An armed Hudson barricaded himself and his mother inside her apartment after deputies responded to the second call for help before shooting Hayes four times, killing her.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of killing

Verb

But vetoing the bill could have been politically damaging for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, with the rising cost of living and housing on the top of voters' minds.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Amid touching on other touchy topics, Xavi also accused Laporta of vetoing Lionel Messi’s proposed 2023 return to the club.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Definition of vetoing

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blackballed

blackballing

blackballs

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“Blackballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackballing. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackballing

verb

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