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.
Related Words
Relevance
as in to smuggle
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 black market
John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
As the operation grows across the city-wide black market, their ambitions clash with corrupt authorities, rival butchers and a shifting political landscape, pushing the family toward dangerous alliances and violent consequences.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Apr. 2026
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Gambling apologists argue that the recent revelations are proof that new laws are working—offshore sportsbooks and black-market bookies never coordinated with law enforcement to flag suspicious bets the way FanDuel and DraftKings do now.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Noun
Of course, that only fueled the black market, which didn't have to pay the taxes.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
As the operation grows across the city-wide black market, their ambitions clash with corrupt authorities, rival butchers and a shifting political landscape, pushing the family toward dangerous alliances and violent consequences.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
According to court records, Gentek sold more than $42 million of black-market HIV drugs to the Boyds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Gambling apologists argue that the recent revelations are proof that new laws are working—offshore sportsbooks and black-market bookies never coordinated with law enforcement to flag suspicious bets the way FanDuel and DraftKings do now.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
-
But, of course, thousands of American companies had trade and relations with China.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But the alternative that cannot be ignored was a potential trade to accumulate more picks after trading two fourth-round picks and a third-round pick in deals for Makai Lemon and Jonathan Greenard.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sri Lankan authorities have also made several detections of large hauls of heroin and other narcotics smuggled in via small fishing boats in recent years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Two San Diego men have been sentenced for smuggling vulnerable birds into the United States, with one heading to prison and the other getting hit with thousands in fines.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And the gray market fad worries him.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But the group argues the public would be safer if peptides were handled by regulated compounding pharmacies instead of the gray market.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At one point his grandfather bartered his watch to get groceries and gas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Thus, the Campanos wanted Owen dead, but Frank’s long-standing friendship with Nicholas allowed the latter to barter and keep Hannah and Bailey out of the fray so long as Owen stayed away from them.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Emma Grede, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Good American jeans, said her businesses are being changed by artificial intelligence, though there are some areas that are off limits.—
Francine Lacqua,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
No one will ever do business with DeCosta or the Ravens again?—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fact we’re getting bootlegged and people are grabbing our voices and using ’em, rap needs to be taken as serious as any other genre!—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
11 July 2025
-
In 1920s Anaheim, the big local issue was bootlegging and Catholics, who were seen as foreigners in what was supposed to be an Anglo-Saxon Protestant country.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The personal data used is typically traded on dark web marketplaces after large data breaches.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Experts warn that prediction markets are stoking corruption in the US — hundreds have placed successful bets on key events in the Iran war, The New York Times reported — fueling growing calls for Congress to regulate the marketplaces to prevent officials from profiting from privileged information.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The play can get intense and competitive, but some people are more interested in the social component of mahjong, being next to neighbors and exchanging stories or game tips.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The pro football player, 28, and his wife, 24, exchanged vows underneath a marble dome surrounded by blush-toned blooms, set directly in front of a lake fountain.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
