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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

Iran’s central bank, one presumes, injected foreign currency into the black market to prop up the rial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

The currency has also collapsed, going from 570 Sudanese pounds to the US dollar before the war to 3,500 in 2026 on the black market.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Papa had taken some of his cash and bought a bag of rice at the black market in Hiroshima.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata