black-market

1 of 2

verb

black-mar·​ket ˈblak-ˈmär-kət How to pronounce black-market (audio)
black-marketed; black-marketing; black-markets

intransitive verb

: to buy or sell goods in the black market

transitive verb

: to sell in the black market
black marketer noun
or black marketeer
black marketeering noun

black market

2 of 2

noun

: illicit trade in goods or commodities in violation of official regulations
also : a place where such trade is carried on

Examples of black-market in a Sentence

Noun The black market in prescription drugs is thriving. They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
This modern horror film stars Demi Moore as Elizabeth Sparkle, an aging celebrity who takes a black-market drug that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself but has some nasty side effects. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025 Moore and Qualley portray different versions of the same character in The Substance; Moore's Elisabeth Sparkle seeks out a black-market drug called The Substance after she is fired from her long-running workout television program, only to find that the drug creates a younger version of her. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
Such restrictions lead to shortages, black markets and other destructive consequences. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Reports from Ukraine Oversight, a U.S. government website tracking military assistance, indicate that while some weapons have gone missing in combat zones, there is no evidence of significant black market sales at the level Carlson suggests. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for black-market

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1727, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-market was in 1727

Browse Nearby Entries

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Black-market.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-market. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

black market

noun
: trade that is against government controls (as of prices or rationing)
also : the place where such trade is carried on
black marketer
-ˈmär-kət-ər
noun
or black marketeer
-ˌmär-kə-ˈti(ə)r

More from Merriam-Webster on black-market

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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