What does blacklisting mean?
Blacklisting refers to the act of placing someone or something on a list of people or entities to be excluded, shunned, or denied access to opportunities. Historically used against political dissidents, suspected communists, and labor organizers, the term carries heavy connotations of unfair treatment and hidden power. Its most infamous application was the Hollywood blacklist of the late 1940s and 1950s, when screenwriters and actors were barred from working due to alleged communist ties. Today, blacklisting also describes technical practices: spam filters blocklisted domains, financial institutions blacklist fraudulent accounts, and airlines blacklist unsafe carriers. Because of its negative associations, some organizations have adopted neutral alternatives like 'blocklist' or 'denylist', though 'blacklist' remains widely understood across legal, corporate, and computing contexts.
The action or system of putting someone's name on a list of persons to be avoided, boycotted, or denied work or privileges.
"The senator's blacklisting of journalists drew widespread criticism."
Often used with negative connotations implying unfair or covert exclusion.
Present participle of 'blacklist': to place someone or something on such a list.
"Regulators are blacklisting firms that violate safety standards."
Rarely pluralized; usually treated as an uncountable mass noun referring to the general practice.
"Historical records document several blacklistings during the McCarthy era."
The word comes from literal black-bound books kept by English merchants and employers — and it gave us its cheerful opposite, 'whitelist'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blacklisting
The term derives from 'black' (Old English blæc) combined with 'list', referring literally to lists bound in black covers. It emerged in the early 17th century, when English merchant Charles II-era traders reportedly kept black books recording customers who failed to pay debts or were otherwise disreputable. By the 19th century, employers used blacklists to identify union sympathizers for dismissal. The related term 'whitelisting' arose later as its opposite.
Related word forms
How blacklisting is actually used
Carries strong negative connotations of unfair exclusion and secrecy; often used critically. In modern tech contexts (spam filtering, security), the term has become more neutral, though many organizations now prefer 'blocklist' as less charged.
Easily confused with blacklisting
Blackmailing is extorting someone through threats, while blacklisting is excluding someone from privileges by putting them on a list.