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
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
His group and others have worked for several years to smuggle Starlink terminals into the country, with a thriving black market for them.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
James Grebey, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Government has a responsibility to keep black-market and counterfeit pouches out of consumers’ hands.
—Max Cunningham, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black market
Noun
China wants to reduce reliance on US tech, but Chinese companies are hungry for the superior Nvidia products, with some considering sourcing H200s from the black market.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
His group and others have worked for several years to smuggle Starlink terminals into the country, with a thriving black market for them.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Ralph Fiennes plays a black-market dealer of SQUIDS — devices that tap into a wearer’s cerebral cortex and fully capture their experiences so others can relive them.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Government has a responsibility to keep black-market and counterfeit pouches out of consumers’ hands.
—Max Cunningham, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
-
His office described the visit as part of a broader push to expand cooperation beyond security into trade, investment, education and development.—
NINIEK KARMINI,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Cramer said this one has been concerning investors because of how closely its trades with cryptocurrency markets.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It’s not meant to smuggle in unrelated provisions that expand the power of leadership at the expense of our members.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In fall 2023, the Sheriff’s Office investigated a spate of overdose inmate deaths, then arrested several staffers tied to Avid Healthcare Services, a health care contractor, for smuggling drugs into the jail in exchange for money.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Outside of the clinic, an eager gray market has sprung up, selling unofficial versions of the drugs.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Once a gray market is thriving, who, if anyone, will foot the bill for rigorous research?—
Sara Talpos — Undark,
STAT,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Cleveland Fed reported that some businesses, now that the worst of the volatility seems to have settled, are now managing to barter down prices.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
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About 40 minutes into the film, Linda makes the fatal mistake of bartering with her daughter outside the treatment facility.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But Morgan, Dave Canales and Brandt Tilis have a history of locking up homegrown players who handle their business on and off the field.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Lewis promised to help modernize the paper’s business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 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
-
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
-
Falling launch costs, fueled largely by reusable rockets, have transformed access to low Earth orbit (LEO), turning it into a fast-evolving marketplace where companies compete and innovate at rapid speed.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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From covering payroll during seasonal slowdowns to purchasing inventory, repairing equipment, or managing cash-flow gaps, access to flexible financing allows entrepreneurs to grow and adapt in an ever-changing marketplace.—
Julio Fuentes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, that does not stop Glenn from proudly waving and exchanging Olympic pins adorned with the trans pride flag.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hannah went to Zoe’s studio over the summer and the pair exchanged ideas.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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