Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for black market. Search instead for bakverket.
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.

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

The liquor policy which led to the arrests of AAP leaders was introduced by the Kejriwal government in 2021, saying it would curb black market sales, increase revenues and ensure even distribution of liquor licences.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 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

Because regulation of a legal market is bound to fail when a healthy black market exists for the same product.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt