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dark web

American  
[dahrk web] / ˈdɑrk ˈwɛb /
Or Dark Web

noun

  1. the portion of the internet that is intentionally hidden from search engines, uses masked IP addresses, and is accessible only with a special web browser: part of the deep web.


Etymology

Origin of dark web

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that requires special software to access, masking user identities through encrypted networks.

From BBC Jul. 14, 2026

That likely puts your number up for sale on the dark web, providing fresh meat for other scammers.

From The Wall Street Journal May 28, 2026

The report noted that the hackers teased “small samples” of the data on its dark web site over a week starting March 20, before publishing the whole thing on March 27.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 22, 2026

I know my information is on the dark web, and I have taken steps to be cautious.

From MarketWatch Mar. 25, 2026

Of course, in some corners of the dark web, she was better known as UKFlamethrower1999 or DundeeDeathMonger707, but mostly she was just Char, as the girls in the boarding house called her.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

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