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Showing results for black market.
Definitions

black market

NOUN
illegal commerce
Synonyms
WEAK
bootleg market gray market illegal sales illegitimate business illicit business run shady dealings underground underground market underworld market
ADJECTIVE
underground, contraband
Synonyms
STRONG
banned bootleg bootlegged contraband forbidden illegal illicit outlawed prohibited proscribed
VERB
sell illegally
Synonyms
STRONG
traffic
WEAK
bootleg pirate run contraband smuggle

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.

Last year, BBC Sport conducted an investigation exposing an enormous black market for tickets in the Premier League.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

To get a Starlink antenna on the black market, Iranians previously had to shell out around "$800 or $1,000" at the end of 2025, Ahmadian recalled, a prohibitive amount for many.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

And despite sanctions, reports suggest it has been able to purchase some military equipment through the black market.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Although Starlink isn’t activated in Russia, a black market for user terminals sprung up with middlemen shipping them to Russian forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

“The two girls sell it all on the black market and use the money to buy flashy costume jewelry and cheap perfume.”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller