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
Michael Goldberg Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
That hasn’t stopped a thriving black market from taking hold in the state.
—Michael Goldberg, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Gambling apologists argue that the recent revelations are proof that new laws are working—offshore sportsbooks and black-market bookies never coordinated with law enforcement to flag suspicious bets the way FanDuel and DraftKings do now.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Noun
That hasn't stopped a thriving black market from taking hold in the state.
—Michael Goldberg Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
That hasn’t stopped a thriving black market from taking hold in the state.
—Michael Goldberg, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to court records, Gentek sold more than $42 million of black-market HIV drugs to the Boyds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Gambling apologists argue that the recent revelations are proof that new laws are working—offshore sportsbooks and black-market bookies never coordinated with law enforcement to flag suspicious bets the way FanDuel and DraftKings do now.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
-
In fine fashion, the speedy forward, who underwent groin surgery in the preseason after arriving in a trade with Nashville, struck a perfect cross that was headed into goal by Tyler Boyd, increasing the lead to 6-0 in the 70th minute.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
This bears a strong resemblance to what’s happening in the trades as of 2026, with electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians commanding strong premiums, especially on data-center construction.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At times, people also rely on kolbars to smuggle themselves across the border.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Data shows a similar drop in overdose deaths in Canada, where fentanyl supplies are usually produced from Chinese chemicals inside the country rather than smuggled in.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the group argues the public would be safer if peptides were handled by regulated compounding pharmacies instead of the gray market.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is seeking to prevent American Shaman, the Kansas City company at the forefront of a sprawling gray market, from selling an opioid that’s available at gas stations and smoke shops across the country.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
According to reports, the Wolves are boxing the likes of the Knicks, Heat and Warriors in this fight, with Minnesota having no valuable draft compensation with which to barter.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The crash, which was captured on surveillance cameras from multiple angles, damaged the entrance of Oriental Rug Care, an industrial business located in the city.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The show mostly avoids the politics that swirl around the design business, especially these days when critics are obsessed with the environmental evils of fast fashion and the shortcomings of an industry known to exploit labor around the globe.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 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
-
The marketplace itself is exerting no discipline whatsoever.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In 2023, Authentic put the SI name on Lunatix, a sputtering ticket marketplace.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, barely any words are exchanged.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The teams exchanged runs in the 10th, Seattle scoring on Randy Arozarena's RBI single and the Angels on Logan O'Hoppe's sacrifice fly.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
