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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to smuggle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of black market
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
Critics, on the other hand, say stronger regulations would have negative implications for the U.S. economy and could create black markets for stronger products, potentially empowering drug cartels.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
James Grebey, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
The film follows Elisabeth, played by Moore, a celebrity who takes a black-market substance to create a younger, better version of herself named Sue, played by Qualley.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for black market 
Noun
He was featured in a 2021 report on the exorbitant fees being demanded on the black market to evacuate Afghans during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
Critics, on the other hand, say stronger regulations would have negative implications for the U.S. economy and could create black markets for stronger products, potentially empowering drug cartels.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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, 23 Dec. 2024
The film follows Elisabeth, played by Moore, a celebrity who takes a black-market substance to create a younger, better version of herself named Sue, played by Qualley.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
Noun
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The greater mystery now is how much — or how little — the 49ers can fetch in return for Samuel, who didn’t generate enough of a market in 2022 or again last March to garner a trade.—
Cam Inman,
The Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2025
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With the trade being voided, rookie wing Dalton Knecht, veteran wing Cam Reddish and their 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick will return to the Lakers.—
Khobi Price,
Orange County Register,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Agents found mangrove leaves inside the boat, mangrove branch scratches on its right side, green plant matter transfer on its Bimini top and fresh gelcoat damage to the starboard bottom of the boat, which led authorities to suspect it had been involved in smuggling humans.—
Silas Morgan,
Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2025
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The American Lung Association report calls on the Food and Drug Administration to finalize rules for a tracking system that would identify counterfeit or smuggled tobacco products.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC News,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And of the many unlicensed home care aides who work in gray market, many are immigrants, including many who are undocumented.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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There are also active gray markets on Chinese apps and e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, where popular and rare dolls sell at several times their original prices.—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune Asia,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Stunning stat: Women, who comprise half of NFL fans, are more likely (51%) than men (46%) to barter away their future romantic happiness for a championship parade, the survey found.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
24 Jan. 2025
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In a post-apocalyptic world from a catastrophic earthquake, one apartment building that didn’t collapse becomes a bartering market.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tomás Talarico has been named managing director of Warner Music Southern Cone, overseeing the record company’s business in Argentina and Chile.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
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Tuesday’s results represent a key test for Super Micro and an opportunity to prove to Wall Street that the company’s business remains solid and that its compliance issues are in the past.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Living in Woodstock, New York, Dylan spent a lot of time in nearby Saugerties at the Band’s famous Big Pink house, recording dozens of songs that were heavily bootlegged and sometimes sent to other artists to record.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
25 Dec. 2024
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The quarterback can bootleg in and out of the perimeter of cameras, as the testing aims to simulate as many football movements as possible.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
The Athletic,
27 Aug. 2024
Noun
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State Senator Kelly Hancock, who sponsored the state’s 2017 autonomous-driving legislation, said the legislature wanted to promote the industry’s growth in a competitive marketplace and avoid barriers to entry.—
Chris Kirkham and Abhirup Roy,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Watch for special after-hours events, talks and marketplaces throughout the exhibit, wrapping up with a post-show plant sale on March 27.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And even on the stand and subject to his cooperation agreement, Marquez never specifically testified that ComEd sought to exchange jobs for Madigan’s support of utility legislation, Cotter said.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
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After exchanging the item, a suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at the resident and told them to walk away, police said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near black market
Cite this Entry
“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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