black-market

1 of 2

verb

black-mar·​ket ˈblak-ˈmär-kət How to pronounce black-market (audio)
black-marketed; black-marketing; black-markets
Synonyms of black-marketnext

intransitive verb

: to buy or sell goods in the black market

transitive verb

: to sell in the black market
black marketer noun
or black marketeer
ˈblak-ˌmär-kə-ˈtir How to pronounce black-market (audio)
black marketeering
ˈblak-ˌmär-kə-ˈtir-iŋ How to pronounce black-market (audio)
noun

black market

2 of 2

noun

: illicit trade in goods or commodities in violation of official regulations
also : a place where such trade is carried on

Examples of black-market in a Sentence

Noun The black market in prescription drugs is thriving. They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The state, which is teeming with black-market dairies, did little to punish the farmer who sold the families the milk. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2026 Raw-milk consumption was a growing hazard, and their state, like others, was teeming with black-market dairies, propped up by consumer demand fueled by misinformation. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
The latest move by Taipei — a central node in global semiconductor manufacturing — is a significant step in curtailing black market sales to Chinese companies seeking to bypass US curbs. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Coverage of the same census in the ISHRS journal flagged a growing black market in hair restoration as one of the notable trends of 2024. — William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for black-market

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1727, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-market was in 1727

Rhymes for black-market

See All Rhymes for black-market

Browse Nearby Words

black mark
black-market
black market
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Black-market.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-market. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

black market

noun
: trade that is against government controls (as of prices or rationing)
also : the place where such trade is carried on
black marketer
-ˈmär-kət-ər
noun
or black marketeer
-ˌmär-kə-ˈti(ə)r

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