blackball

[blak-bawl]

blackball Definition

• 1. to vote against a person or to exclude someone from a group, especially by putting a black ball into a ballot box
• 2. a small black ball used as a vote against a person or to veto a decision

Using blackball: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "blackball" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The committee decided to blackball the new member.

• Example

  He was blackballed from the club after he broke the rules.

• Example

  The proposal was blackballed by the board of directors.

blackball Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for blackball

• reject
• exclude
• veto
• ban
• ostracize

Antonyms for blackball

• approve
• accept
• welcome

Phrases with blackball

• blackball someone's application

  to reject someone's application or candidacy

  Example

  He was blackballed from the university after failing the entrance exam.

• blackball someone from something

  to exclude someone from a group or organization

  Example

  She was blackballed from the sorority after breaking their rules.

• blackball vote

  a negative vote or veto

  Example

  The proposal received three blackball votes and was rejected.

Origins of blackball

from the practice of voting by ballot in clubs and societies, where a black ball indicated disapproval

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Summary: blackball in Brief

The verb 'blackball' [blak-bawl] means to reject or exclude someone from a group or organization, often by voting against them with a black ball. It can also mean to veto a decision. Examples include 'The committee decided to blackball the new member.' and 'The proposal was blackballed by the board of directors.'