black market

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But, for weeks during the continuing conflict, Kumar had to buy gas on the black market at eight times the price, making it impossible for him to cover his family’s other expenses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The caregiver for her elderly mother and a grandchild, she spends much of her time scouring government stores and the black market for food and medicine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

With black market gas prices nearly double, some are looking to cook on wood stoves or use less energy-consuming methods.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

At around $2,000 on Iran's black market, the terminals are expensive and very rare in poorer regions like Balochistan or Kurdistan that have suffered the most government repression, Alimardani said.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

That night, Olanna told Odenigbo, “We need to get some petrol on the black market; we don’t have enough in case anything happens.”

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie