Blacklisting

/ˈblæk.lɪs.tɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The act of putting someone on a list of people who are denied jobs, services, or opportunities because they're considered undesirable or dangerous.

Etymology

From blacklist (noun, originating 1600s) + -ing (the process of). The practice became systematic during labor disputes and reached its political peak during 1950s anticommunist investigations.

Kelly Says

Blacklisting is a shadow punishment with no due process — your name goes on a list, employers quietly reject you, and you may never know why, making it one of the most insidious forms of social control.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.