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.

Wildlife officers have busted an illegal cockroach-breeding operation in rural Australia, seizing a skin-crawling haul worth more than $100,000 on the black market for exotic bugs.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Romanée-Conti’s high demand and hefty price has also motivated thieves and counterfeiters, helping to foster a black market for rare spirits, where shady dealers and covetous buyers are willing to ignore a bottle’s provenance.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 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

Now the black market is so much healthier than the legitimate economy I’ve seen people use zaires for repairing cracks in their walls.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver