black market 1 of 2

noun

Definition of black marketnext
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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black-market

2 of 2

verb

as in to smuggle

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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
Noun
The first operation, in June, led authorities to a box truck carrying some 2,000 animals, a mix of reptiles, fish and invertebrates that were being smuggled for sale on the black market. — John Donegan Long Beach Post, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026 But this wasn’t nearly enough for Joy Division’s rabid fanbase, and there’s been a thriving black market for bootleg concert recordings for decades, even though the sound quality of most of the tapes varies from half-decent to borderline inaudible. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
That’s part of a black-market advertising bonanza on the social media site, where sellers are now hawking fake GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and experimental Chinese peptides alongside knockoff luxury handbags and sneakers. — Iain Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Harvard will pay $53 million, establishing two settlement funds for families of anatomical donors whose remains were stolen and sold by former morgue manager Cedric Lodge in a black-market scheme. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for black market
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black market
  1. trade
  2. smuggle
  3. gray market
  4. barter
  5. business
  6. bootleg
  7. marketplace
  8. exchange
Noun
  • However, in the 7th century, this all vanished; the temples were abandoned and later looted, and Kea never again revived its trade or harbor settlements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Over the past year alone, it has been buffeted by phenomena such as geopolitical uncertainty — especially in the Middle East — trade tensions, exchange-rate volatility, consumer confidence pressure, and disruption across travel and supply chains.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of trade
Verb
  • In 2025, Ukraine smuggled over 100 small drones into Russia in commercial cargo trucks and used them to strike strategic air bases thousands of miles from the border.
    — Todd J. Stein, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • A little less than 18 months ago, Ukraine carried out a sneak drone attack in which forces smuggled them into Russian territory and waited until the truck that was unknowingly carrying them got close to Russian bases.
    — Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of smuggle
Noun
  • The buzz around retatrutide has contributed to a thriving gray market serving people looking for serious weight loss who aren’t interested in waiting for the FDA to approve the drug.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Suppliers on the gray market can include compounding pharmacies, med spas, and telehealth companies.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of gray market
Verb
  • In the second-season finale, some time after Aemond had killed Rhaenyra’s son Luke, Alicent arrives in secret to Dragonstone to barter Aegon’s life in exchange for peace, and safety in particular for her daughter (and Aegon’s wife) Helaena.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Through three tedious roll calls, Roosevelt forces bartered with delegations and finally put their man over the top on the fourth try when House Speaker John Nance Garner folded his candidacy in exchange for the vice presidential nomination.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Definition of barter
Noun
  • Vanderbilt is building a graduate campus in West Palm Beach focused on business, AI, and data science, with $50 million from developer Stephen Ross leading the fundraising.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Much of those losses were uninsured, leaving the losses to be absorbed by governments, businesses, or households.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of business
Verb
  • After the songs were bootlegged for years, Coe began selling them on his website in 2000, though without his name on them.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • With Dallas leading 27-21 and San Francisco driving late in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana and the 49ers lined up in a split formation, with Montana bootlegging out to the right upon taking the snap.
    — R.J. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of bootleg
Noun
  • Ticketmaster, which was included in the partnerships already announced, directs users to its own marketplace for payment.
    — Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Nike told Vogue Business that Hill, who became CEO in 2024, has cleaned up unhealthy inventory, reset the marketplace, and created more space for a new series of Nike performance products and innovation.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of marketplace
Verb
  • During the journey, Choi exchanged text messages with her mother-in-law.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The gunman vanished into a home while exchanging shots with deputies, and he was later found in one of the bedrooms, officials said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of exchange

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black market
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Cite this Entry

“Black market.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black%20market. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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