Blacklisted

Blacklisted describes someone or something that has been officially or unofficially excluded or prohibited from a group, activity, or place. Being blacklisted often implies a negative consequence, such as job loss, denial of services, or social ostracism, due to perceived misconduct, association with undesirable individuals, or failure to meet certain criteria. The term suggests a systemic practice of exclusion and a lasting negative impact on the individual or entity affected. It can refer to individuals, companies, products, or even entire countries, depending on the context. The reasons for blacklisting can vary, ranging from ethical breaches and legal violations to political disagreements and perceived threats.

Blacklisted meaning with examples

• After the exposé on his unethical business practices, the CEO found his company blacklisted by major investors, severely impacting its ability to secure funding. His reputation was in tatters, making it challenging to find new partners or clients. Consequently, the company faced financial ruin. The once prominent firm saw its value plummet as it lost opportunities and struggled to stay afloat, demonstrating the severe consequences of being blacklisted.
• The whistleblower was immediately blacklisted by her previous employer, denied any future job prospects in the same sector, and faced online harassment for exposing corruption. She endured professional ostracism, struggling to find any position in her field, and many doubted her motives. Her career was effectively destroyed, becoming a cautionary tale for others considering speaking out against wrongdoing within powerful organizations.
• Due to the constant cyberattacks, the company's server was blacklisted by multiple cloud providers to protect their infrastructure. This meant essential services like email and data storage became unavailable. The company scrambled to find alternative hosting solutions, but faced significant downtime and data loss during the transition, causing disruption in all operations. Blacklisting served as a harsh lesson on cybersecurity.
• The film studio blacklisted the actor for his repeated on-set unprofessional behavior and public displays of misconduct, causing them to lose roles in future productions. His career suffered a dramatic decline. Unable to find work, the actor was forced to pursue opportunities outside of entertainment, suffering the professional consequences of his actions and becoming an example of industry standards.
• During the Cold War, numerous individuals were blacklisted from the film industry for perceived communist leanings. This resulted in unemployment, limited creative output, and social stigmatization. Many were unable to obtain work, leading to financial hardship and a climate of fear. The consequences were felt for decades. The era served as an example of the potential misuse of blacklisting for political purposes.