blacklist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'blacklist' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a list of people or organisations that are disapproved of, or are excluded from certain activities. For example, "The company was placed on a blacklist of businesses known to have violated ethical standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Thursday evening the ministers agreed to prolong the blacklisting of pro-Russian separatist leaders from March until September, to add new names to the blacklist by next week, and asked the European commission to look into broadening the economic and financial sanctions against Russia imposed last July.

The Guardian

Hundreds of environmental activists were on a secret "blacklist" used by construction firms in an attempt to disrupt high-profile protests against road building and other developments.

The Guardian - Business

The first Hollywood blacklist, a list of directors, screenwriters, composers, actors and other film-makers suspected of communist sympathies, was published in 1947.

The Guardian - Film

That was enough to put her on the new regime's blacklist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Details of the environmental blacklist emerged during evidence from Ian Kerr, the Consulting Association chief officer, to a committee of MPs (pdf) that construction firms wanted information on the protesters after being "badly hit" by their campaigns.

The Guardian - Business

Umunna said: "Very serious allegations have been raised, including by a serving ICO official who is himself a former police officer, that information contained on blacklist files came from police and security services.

The Guardian - Business

Information on a separate blacklist of more than 3,000 construction workers is said to have forced thousands of workers into long-term unemployment and is alleged to have come from a variety of sources including press cuttings, the construction firms, police or security officials and, in some cases, other union members.

The Guardian - Business

The foreign ministers decided to freeze the assets of and blacklist several more Russia-backed separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine, although more substantial penalties for the Russian economy will probably have to wait until the new year.

The Guardian

The measures have been gradually lifted in recent years to encourage reform but the 90-year-old Zimbabwean leader and his wife Grace remain on the EU blacklist.

The Guardian

Related: On the blacklist: how did the UK's top building firms get secret information on their workers?

The Guardian

The police's role in giving information to the blacklist has yet to be fully brought into the public domain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "blacklist", consider the potential negative connotations and whether a more neutral term like "exclusion list" or "denied parties list" might be more appropriate, especially in formal or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "blacklist" in situations where it could be perceived as discriminatory or overly harsh. Instead, opt for more neutral terms that accurately describe the situation without unnecessary negative connotations. Be very aware of the sensitivity of the situation and the impact of your language choices.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blacklist" is as a noun, referring to a list of entities that are disapproved or excluded. It can also function as a verb, meaning to add someone or something to such a list. Ludwig AI validates this usage, indicating that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "blacklist" is a commonly used noun and verb that refers to a list of disapproved or excluded entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While widely accepted, it's important to consider its potentially negative connotations and opt for more neutral terms like "exclusion list" or "denied parties list" in sensitive contexts. Examples from Ludwig show its prevalence in news, business, and technology, highlighting its function in identifying and categorizing undesirable entities. Remember to use it judiciously, being mindful of the context and the impact of your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusion list

Refers to a list of entities or individuals that are excluded from certain privileges or activities; maintains a neutral tone.

prohibited list

Highlights the forbidden nature of the listed entities or activities; less commonly used but equally clear.

persona non grata list

A more formal and diplomatic term indicating individuals who are not welcome; typically used in international relations.

outlawed entity roster

Emphasizes the illegal status of the listed entities.

denied parties list

Specifically refers to parties denied export privileges, often used in trade and compliance contexts.

sanctioned individuals directory

Describes a list of people who are under sanctions, often for political or economic reasons.

restricted access registry

Indicates a registry of entities with restricted access to certain resources or areas.

boycotted companies index

Highlights companies that are being boycotted for ethical, political, or economic reasons.

undesirable elements catalog

More subjective and judgmental term for a list of undesirable individuals or entities.

censored content repository

Specifically refers to a list of content that has been censored or removed from publication.

FAQs

How can I use "blacklist" in a sentence?

You can use "blacklist" to refer to a list of entities or individuals who are excluded from certain privileges or activities. For example, "The company was placed on a blacklist of businesses known to have violated ethical standards."

What are some alternatives to using "blacklist"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exclusion list", "prohibited list", or "denied parties list".

Is there a difference between a "blacklist" and a "whitelist"?

Yes, a "blacklist" is a list of entities that are excluded or disapproved, while a "whitelist" is a list of entities that are approved or allowed.

When is it appropriate to use the term "blacklist"?

It's appropriate to use "blacklist" when referring to a formal list of entities that are being excluded or denied privileges due to specific reasons, such as non-compliance, security risks, or ethical violations. However, consider using more neutral terms in sensitive contexts.