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
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
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
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
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
This has only empowered black-market competitors with cheaper products and laxer standards.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
-
What to know about poison dart frogs Found in tropical rain forests in South America, the frogs face risks from habitat destruction and the exotic pet trade.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Sewald came to the Diamondbacks from the Seattle Mariners in a trade deadline deal in 2023 and helped the D-backs make a surprise run to the Fall Classic before losing to the Texas Rangers in five games.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The new law will give the California attorney general earlier access to federal HSR merger filings, so the office will have more time to review and challenge anticompetitive mergers and give businesses earlier notice to address any potential concerns, according to Umberg’s office.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
-
That sparked fears that AI tools could eat into existing companies’ business models and customer bases.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 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
-
At a minimum, brokers and insurers found to have acted in bad faith should be banned from marketplaces and subject to clawbacks.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Walmart's site serves as a marketplace where many sellers list their offerings.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
