blackball 1 of 2

as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote he was disappointed to learn that he had been blackballed by the fraternity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blackball

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blackball
Verb
Among the keys to its success, labor groups said, is the Accord’s ability to blackball factories that refuse to remediate safety violations from selling goods to signatory brands. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 Photos of Jay-Z hamming it up with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who many see as the face of Kaepernick’s blackball, were off-putting, to put it politely. Jonathan Jones, SI.com, 21 Aug. 2019
Noun
Rumors persist of prospective members being blackballed for simply asking about membership. Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 Clark has previously testified on the stand that after falling out with Combs, the Revolt TV founder tried to blackball her. Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blackball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackball
Verb
  • Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When retail loses money, it’s often dismissed as inexperience.
    Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Argentine lawmakers overturned a key veto issued by President Javier Milei, a move that comes ahead of legislative elections that could define his term.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Keanu, still annoyed from the veto ceremony, talked to Ava Pearl in the HOH room and called Rachel a liar.
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Penalties can include ejection, banishment from NFL games and events, and legal action.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It’s spoken by Jaques, a cranky courtier from the entourage of Duke Senior, living in banishment in the Forest of Arden.
    Matthew Gurewitsch, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Utah police on Friday arrested Tyler Robinson for allegedly killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, although his potential motive remains hazy.
    Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Key Background Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was killed in an unprovoked attack on a commuter rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Just keep in mind that premium service often comes at a higher cost, which is where weighing the pros and cons becomes important.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These 2025 Best of Beauty Award winners offer all the overprotective pros without any aggravating cons.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In ancient humans and other primates, reputational damage can bar access to food and mates, incite physical confrontations and, in extreme cases, lead to potentially fatal ostracism.
    Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Bans, booing and ostracism The labeling of Israel as a pariah state internationally does not seem to bother the government.
    Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The search giant has refused to license content from news organizations and publishers, while other AI labs have done licensing deals.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For Jordan, that battle has meant staying grounded in his faith and refusing to let the disease isolate him.
    Essence, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In a sentencing order, the judge said Martinez’s refusal to express remorse for his criminal conduct closed off the judge’s ability to deliver a sentence lower than the 34 months requested by prosecutors.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Elsewhere, Javier Bardem arrived with a keffiyeh around his neck before using his red-carpet interviews to state his refusal to work with organizations affiliated with Israel.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blackball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackball. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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