BLACKBALL Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

blackball 1 of 2

verb

ˈblak-ˌbȯl

Definition of blackball

as in to dismiss

to reject by or as if by a vote he was disappointed to learn that he had been blackballed by the fraternity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blackball

2 of 2

noun

as in veto

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in banishment

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 blackball

Verb

In an ugly break with tradition, three of Herbst’s colleagues blackballed his two appointees from serving on city boards in April 2025. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2026 Even a popular New York City venue allegedly uses it to blackball people its millionaire owner considers adversaries. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

Even a popular New York City venue allegedly uses it to blackball people its millionaire owner considers adversaries. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 For more than 20 years, apologists for Israel have sought to shame, blackball, and fire professors who criticize Israeli policy. — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blackball

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackball

Verb

The stance has seen Newsom, who warns the passage of Prop 40 could see an exodus of the super rich from California, mocked and dismissed by fellow Democrats.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
The complaint was ultimately dismissed, and Iowa's Republican leaders celebrated the ruling.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Noun

In a memo later Monday morning, the White House TV pool had been suspended given CNN’s banishment.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Lucas and her attorneys with the Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian legal organization, assert that her ownership of the property shields her from banishment.

— Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of banishment

Verb

Hundreds of Palestinians have been attacked and a few have been killed this olive harvest alone, which started in late September, rights groups have said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Police were investigating what caused the pickup truck to barrel through a soccer field, killing a man and a child.

— Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of kill

Noun

Running errands and a real estate con What follows comes from the referee’s report and the probable cause affidavits after Morin and Corcoran’s arrests.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Spanning two continents, the show — based on an incredible true story — delves into what happens when what begins as a simple con turns into one of the largest cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes in history.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of con

Noun

Indeed, any ambitious scientist had to be in the good graces of these Big Players or risk financial ostracism and effective banishment from the halls of Big Science.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Expect the backlash, posing risks of fandom ostracism for any significant animator seemingly endorsing AI, to play out at late June’s Annecy Festival.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 1 June 2026

Definition of ostracism

Verb

Gee refused to budge, saying the 10-year ban was firm and accusing the national organizations of encouraging the break.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
In one instance, a Minnesota hotel that refused to let immigration officers stay there in January apologized after public criticism from DHS, saying the decision violated its internal policies.

— Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuse

Noun

The ruling did not, however, address the question of the administration's periodic refusal since the ban to permit CNN's journalists into smaller spaces where the full press corps cannot fit simultaneously, such as Air Force One or the Oval Office.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
What makes the guest list truly striking is its refusal to stay neatly within the lines of traditional fashion.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of refusal

Browse Nearby Words

black-a-vised

blackball

blackballed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Blackball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackball. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackball

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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