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
-
This legislation invoked back-to-school, disaster preparedness, July freedom month and skilled trades equipment tax holidays, easing costs for consumers.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Because eventually the Knicks will have to stop picking on teams beneath them and trade punches with a legitimate heavyweight.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 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
-
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
-
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
-
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
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Maybe two, depending on other business.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 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
-
The official Anthropic marketplace exists.—
Gabriel Alin Zainescu,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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To fully experience the marketplace, shoppers should visit the food courts for global flavors, and the outdoor markets and produce room for a wide selection of Asian produce.—
Jen Crystal,
Midwest Living,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Despite the current ceasefire starting a month and a half ago, Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging attacks during that time.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
-
There is a whiff of anxiety in the letters that Major Henry Gladwin, in charge of the fort, exchanged with General Jeffrey Amherst, his commander, about this execution.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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