blackballs 1 of 2

Definition of blackballsnext
present tense third-person singular of blackball
as in dismisses
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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blackballs

2 of 2

noun

plural of blackball
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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackballs
Verb
  • When bumbling village policeman Derry (an endearing Nicholas Braun) dismisses any suspicion of foul play despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, it’s left to the sheep to prove otherwise — despite no ability to converse with their human counterparts beyond Lassie-style leading and hinting.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The Ohio Republican Party chairman, Alex Triantafilou, dismisses Putsch's attacks as typical for a primary election.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The House was unwilling to override two vetoes earlier this year on legislation that passed unanimously.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The issue, though, is that the liberals do not have enough votes to override Lamont’s vetoes.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • After eight episodes, six banishments (both failed and successful), and one controversial blue sweater, Colton Underwood was officially murdered on The Traitors, thus ending the time of one of Season 4’s most controversial contestants.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Underwood has been one of the most vocal Faithfuls this season and has led the charge on a number of misguided Faithful banishments, giving Rinna some room to maneuver out from under his argument.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The play is dominated by Lithgow’s towering portrait of the artist as a weary old giant who refuses to concede an inch of ground.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What are the pros and cons of the ways filmmakers can take their destiny into their own hands?
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Here are eight of the most popular proposals for closing Social Security’s funding gap, and the pros and cons of each.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Samorajczyk said that high temperatures are what kills weeds with Foamstream or AquaPro and also noted that the DOT is speaking with vendors and scientists who are developing this technology to have a wand on the front bumper to kill weeds on guiderails.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
  • His film Ring, directed by Hideo Nakata, centered on a cursed videotape that kills viewers seven days after watching it.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • After two dismissals, 8 residents filed a third lawsuit against VENU in January.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
  • News of the dismissals was first reported by The New York Times.
    Laura Romero, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Springtown takes edge in 7-4A race, downs Decatur Springtown got the inside track on the District 7-4A championship after beating Decatur 4-2 in 8 innings on Monday night at Decatur High School.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Greene downs it, throws the kid his jersey, smiles, and all is right with the world.
    Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
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.

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“Blackballs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackballs. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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