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.
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as in to smuggle
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of black market
Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Of course, that only fueled the black market, which didn't have to pay the taxes.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The Shelby Township Police Department seized nearly 1,000 pounds of black-market marijuana, weapons and other items while serving a search warrant on March 13, 2026 at a home in the township.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Noun
Investigators say the vehicles were then sent overseas, primarily to Africa, where they were sold on the black market for high profits.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Of course, that only fueled the black market, which didn't have to pay the taxes.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Superfakes is about a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer who enters a dangerous black-market underworld in order to fund a life of suburban respectability for her family.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The Shelby Township Police Department seized nearly 1,000 pounds of black-market marijuana, weapons and other items while serving a search warrant on March 13, 2026 at a home in the township.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
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The latest impasse leaves the ceasefire between the two sides in an increasingly uncertain place as the global economy gets hit by the war’s impact on trade.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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The trade for Pittman and the drafting of Bernard could provide Rodgers with more big-play options after teams loaded up to stop DK Metcalf last year.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Verb
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So yes, one very important achievement is that Hamas cannot really strengthen itself militarily, because Israel controls the Philadelphi Corridor, which prevents Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
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Last week, Bryant said investigators arrested Officer Javian Quintrell Blake, accusing him of buying phones and cigarettes and smuggling them into the jail for payment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
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But, as the NYT notes, though the 14 peptides were technically restricted by the government (meaning compounding pharmacies were not allowed to produce them), consumers could still purchase them via the online gray market and play doctor from the comfort of their kitchen.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
11 May 2026
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And the gray market fad worries him.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At one point his grandfather bartered his watch to get groceries and gas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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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
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The event brought together pastors, fathers, mentors, activists, business leaders, former gang members and residents from across Chicago in what organizers described as a unified effort to promote safety, accountability and opportunity on the South Side.—
Greg Wehner , Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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Zhang Xiaoduan, head of business development services for south and central China at real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, noted a detachment between what authorities are wishing for and the reality on the ground.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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The communications originate from Impact, one of the largest affiliate partner marketplaces in the industry.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Ticket marketplaces light up almost instantly.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Car parts that have been altered or exchanged Cars that feature aftermarket components or enhancements that alter their function may void their warranty.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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The headline feature is the introduction of default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages exchanged between iPhones and Android phones for the first time.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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