Blackball vs. Blacklist: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Blackball refers to the act of excluding someone from a group by a secret vote, while blacklist means to put someone on a list of persons to be avoided or punished.
Key Differences
Blackball originated from a club voting method where a black ball signified disapproval, leading to exclusion. Blacklist, on the other hand, came from the practice of keeping a list of people deemed undesirable. While blackballing is more about personal rejection in a specific group, blacklisting spans a broader context, often in professional or public realms.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
The act of blackballing is usually a discrete process, often involving anonymous voting within an organization. In contrast, blacklisting can be a more public affair, where the names of the blacklisted individuals or entities are known and deliberately avoided or penalized by a larger community or organization.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Blackballing typically affects an individual’s membership or acceptance in a specific group or society. Blacklisting, however, has wider implications, potentially affecting a person's career, reputation, and opportunities across various sectors or communities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Blackballing is often seen as a more traditional and private form of exclusion, linked to exclusive clubs or societies. Blacklisting, with its historical ties to political and professional exclusion, is viewed as a more systemic and potentially damaging practice, affecting broader aspects of an individual's life.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
Exclude by secret vote in a group
List of persons to be avoided or punished
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Context
Private, within specific groups
Public, professional or social spheres
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Implications
Limited to group membership
Wider impact on career and opportunities
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Historical Connotation
Traditional, club-oriented exclusion
Systemic, often linked to political motives
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Blackball and Blacklist Definitions
Blackball
To reject someone from a group or organization, typically by secret vote.
The committee decided to blackball the applicant due to his controversial views.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Blacklist
To put on a list of people subject to discrimination, suspicion, or avoidance.
The actor was blacklisted in Hollywood during the McCarthy era.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blackball
To veto or block an initiative or proposal.
The board blackballed the new policy, citing financial concerns.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blacklist
To denote as a security risk.
The spy was blacklisted by multiple intelligence agencies.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blackball
To ostracize or shun.
He felt blackballed by his colleagues after the merger.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blacklist
To mark for punishment or censure.
The corrupt officials were blacklisted from holding any future government positions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Blackball
To exclude socially.
After the scandal, he was blackballed from high society events.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blacklist
To ban or exclude from a particular activity or service.
The airline blacklisted the unruly passenger from future flights.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blackball
A negative vote, especially one that blocks the admission of an applicant to an organization.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blacklist
To identify as unacceptable or untrustworthy.
Several products were blacklisted for failing safety standards.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Blacklist
A list of persons or organizations that have incurred disapproval or suspicion or are to be boycotted or otherwise penalized.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blacklist
A list of email addresses, IP addresses, domains, or keywords, that are expressly blocked by an email account.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
To shut out from social or commercial participation; ostracize or boycott.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blacklist
A list or set of people or entities to be shunned or banned.
The software included a lengthy blacklist of disreputable websites to block.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
(countable) A black ball used to indicate such a negative vote.
Regardless how many other people may have voted to approve a candidate for membership, a single blackball will reject the candidate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blacklist
(transitive) To place on a blacklist; to mark a person or entity as one to be shunned or banned.
You can blacklist known spammers with that button.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
A substance for blacking shoes, boots, etc. or for taking impressions of engraved work.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blacklist
Put on a blacklist so as to banish or cause to be boycotted;
Many books were blacklisted by the Nazis
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
(uncountable) A game, a standardized version of the English version of eight-ball.
Reds and yellows
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
(transitive) To vote against, especially in an exclusive organization.
If you're not from a moneyed, well-connected family, you can count on getting blackballed from the fraternity.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
A composition for blacking shoes, boots, etc.; also, one for taking impressions of engraved work.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
A ball of black color, esp. one used as a negative in voting; - in this sense usually two words.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
To vote against, by putting a black ball into a ballot box; to reject or exclude, as by voting against with black balls; to ostracize.
He was blackballed at two clubs in succession.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
Vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent;
The President vetoed the bill
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blackball
To bar someone from membership.
She was blackballed from the club after breaking its rules.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is blackballing?
Blackballing is excluding someone from a group by a secret vote.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
How is blackballing typically conducted?
Blackballing is usually done through anonymous voting within a group.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
What does it mean to be blacklisted?
Being blacklisted means being put on a list of people to be avoided or punished.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Is blackballing reversible?
It can be, depending on the rules of the group and the circumstances.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Are blacklists always public?
Not always; some blacklists are kept confidential, depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Can blackballing affect one's career?
Yes, blackballing within professional organizations can impact one's career.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
What are the consequences of being blacklisted?
Consequences can include loss of job opportunities, reputation damage, and social exclusion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Is blacklisting legal?
Blacklisting can be legal or illegal, depending on context and jurisdiction.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Can an individual blackball someone?
No, blackballing is a collective decision by a group, not an individual action.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Can a company blacklist a former employee?
Yes, but they must comply with legal and ethical standards.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Is blackballing a form of discrimination?
It can be seen as discriminatory if based on unfair or prejudicial grounds.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Are there laws against blacklisting?
In some jurisdictions, laws exist to prevent unjust blacklisting.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Why do people get blacklisted?
Reasons vary, including professional misconduct, security risks, or political reasons.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Can a blacklisted person be removed from the list?
Yes, depending on the circumstances and the authority maintaining the list.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Can blacklisting be challenged legally?
Yes, if it's done unlawfully or violates rights, it can be challenged in court.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
What's the origin of blackballing?
It comes from a voting method using black and white balls to signify disapproval or approval.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
How can one avoid being blackballed?
By maintaining good standing and reputation within the relevant group or community.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Is blackballing common in corporate settings?
It's less common and often more discreet in corporate environments.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Do blackball and blacklist mean the same thing?
No, they have different meanings and contexts, as explained earlier.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Can blacklisting affect one’s personal life?
Yes, it can have implications for personal relationships and social interactions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
Hifza Nasir
