BLACKBALLED Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

blackballed

verb

past tense of blackball

as in dismissed

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

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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 blackballed In 1932, young Carlos (Milo Quifes) is blackballed — hence the film’s title — from a social club over his sexuality. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 With his new book set for release next week, the quarterback still believes he was blackballed. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Kaepernick subsequently opted out of his contract with the 49ers and later in the year had received no contract offers; many of Kaepernick’s supporters suspected he was being blackballed because of his peaceful protests. — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Kaepernick was blackballed from the NFL for his decision to kneel on the sideline during the playing of the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 4 June 2026 After being blackballed from the finance sector, Coop resorts to burglarizing the homes of those in his social circle and pawning the items to stay afloat. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026 Divorced and unemployed, Coop gets blackballed from the finance sector entirely. — Ryan Brennan april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026 Enter Sheila, a street magician blackballed by the local boys club who wows Lincoln with her tips-only act. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026 Kaepernick was not issued a fine or suspension by the NFL, though no teams signed him as a 29-year-old free agent, leading to debate over whether he was blackballed by the league for his stance. — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackballed

Verb

Williams argued that without a viable federal copyright claim, Hugo’s state-law claims involving breach of fiduciary duty and an incomplete accounting should also be dismissed, leaving him free to pursue those claims separately in state court.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Last weekend in Highland, Michigan, Rogers dismissed El-Sayed's attempts to whittle away at his GOP base of support.

— Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissed

Verb

Immigration officials have defended the shooting, saying Belgal refused to exit the vehicle and the agent didn't know there was a child in the backseat.

— Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Allegedly, King Charles has urged Harry and William to make amends, but William has refused.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of refused

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blackball

blackballed

blackballing

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“Blackballed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackballed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackballed

verb

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