BLACKBALL Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

blackball 1 of 2

verb

ˈblak-ˌbȯl

Definition of blackball

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blackball

2 of 2

noun

as in veto

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in banishment

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Social media rumors swirled that the league was blackballing her because of her activism. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 4 May 2026 Even a popular New York City venue allegedly uses it to blackball people its millionaire owner considers adversaries. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

Even a popular New York City venue allegedly uses it to blackball people its millionaire owner considers adversaries. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 For more than 20 years, apologists for Israel have sought to shame, blackball, and fire professors who criticize Israeli policy. — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blackball

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackball

Verb

Zhykovych’s lawyer, Anatoliy Ivanov, dismissed the allegations, telling CNN that Reut was the organizer and killer and was seeking to shift the blame onto Zhykovych.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Chauvin is looking to have his conviction vacated and the charges dismissed.

— Riley Moser, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Noun

In 2023, DeSantis issued a surprise veto of a bipartisan bill that would have led the state fleet to purchase more EVs and save taxpayers money.

— Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
Bill 26-0191 changes the veto and override time requirements for the budget and other bills by providing the council more time to potentially override a mayoral veto, thus giving more power to the council.

— Joseph Landers, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of veto

Noun

The self-banishment of UEFA sides would raise the prospect of greater diversity, with Europe having won six of the past eight tournaments and accounting for most of the teams in the competition’s latter stages.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Violations give the commissioner broad authority to impose severe penalties, ranging from fines and suspensions to permanent banishment in order to protect the integrity of the league.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of banishment

Verb

Last week, prosecutors attempted to use electronic materials to lay out their theory that Clancy premeditated killing her three children.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Police have said that’s exactly what Fernandez Saldana tried to do in hiring a man to shoot and kill Bridegan.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of kill

Noun

Stapley’s own fascination with the art of the con began after her mother was conned out of her life savings.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
Jonathan Curtiss Sherman Oaks Pros and cons The WNBA has seen a very positive increase the last few years in viewership, ratings and salaries, which is good for them.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of con

Noun

Indeed, any ambitious scientist had to be in the good graces of these Big Players or risk financial ostracism and effective banishment from the halls of Big Science.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Expect the backlash, posing risks of fandom ostracism for any significant animator seemingly endorsing AI, to play out at late June’s Annecy Festival.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 1 June 2026

Definition of ostracism

Verb

Bansal, who refused to comment when contacted, has outlined his vision for Lenskart in the company’s latest quarterly presentation.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Trump’s treatment of South Korea is not unique, having taken punitive measures against a slew of allies who refused to back his invasion of Iran.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuse

Noun

As a result of her refusal, the entire kingdom is cursed to live without love and anyone who steps foot inside it is also cursed.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Phillips 66 has a chemicals joint venture with Chevron that each side has a right of first refusal to acquire wholly; previous efforts to sell the business from both Chevron and Phillips’ end have run into hurdles, other people said.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of refusal

Browse Nearby Words

black-a-vised

blackball

blackballed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Blackball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackball. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackball

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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