blackmail
noun
black·mail ˈblak-ˌmāl 
1
: a tribute anciently exacted on the Scottish border by plundering chiefs in exchange for immunity from pillage
2
a
: extortion or coercion by threats especially of public exposure or criminal prosecution
b
: the payment that is extorted
blackmail transitive verb
blackmailer noun
Example Sentences
She was a victim of blackmail. The servant extorted blackmail from her employer.
Recent Examples on the Web Skyrocketing energy prices as a result of Russian energy blackmail and the prospect of a cold, dark winter aren’t inducing Germans to ask if the fuss over Ukraine is worth the misery. 
Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 José Rubén Zamora was arrested at his home in Guatemala City on Friday night as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering, blackmail and influence peddling, according to prosecutors. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 31 July 2022 Ukraine has blamed Russia for explosions there and said the Kremlin is using Europe’s largest nuclear power plant for blackmail. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2022 Ukraine has blamed Russia for explosions there and said the Kremlin is using Europe's largest nuclear power plant for blackmail. Claire Parker, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Thereafter, the Redl affair made it into subsequent reports about the danger that gay men—cliquish, conspiratorial, and susceptible to blackmail—posed to national security. Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 8 June 2022 Yet Russian armies continue to advance, China appears to back Vladimir Putin’s play, Ukrainian negotiators are considering concession to some Russian demands, and Europe remains vulnerable to Russian energy blackmail. Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 10 Mar. 2022 Germany is thus both most vulnerable to Russian blackmail and most willing to see Putin as deserving respect and understanding. Rafael Loss, CNN, 31 Jan. 2022 When Island Home, the group’s latest resort located off the English coast, opens its doors, A-listers beeline — but tempers and tensions come to a boil, blackmail begins, and all hell breaks loose. Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2022 See More
Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 José Rubén Zamora was arrested at his home in Guatemala City on Friday night as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering, blackmail and influence peddling, according to prosecutors. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 31 July 2022 Ukraine has blamed Russia for explosions there and said the Kremlin is using Europe’s largest nuclear power plant for blackmail. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2022 Ukraine has blamed Russia for explosions there and said the Kremlin is using Europe's largest nuclear power plant for blackmail. Claire Parker, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Thereafter, the Redl affair made it into subsequent reports about the danger that gay men—cliquish, conspiratorial, and susceptible to blackmail—posed to national security. Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 8 June 2022 Yet Russian armies continue to advance, China appears to back Vladimir Putin’s play, Ukrainian negotiators are considering concession to some Russian demands, and Europe remains vulnerable to Russian energy blackmail. Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 10 Mar. 2022 Germany is thus both most vulnerable to Russian blackmail and most willing to see Putin as deserving respect and understanding. Rafael Loss, CNN, 31 Jan. 2022 When Island Home, the group’s latest resort located off the English coast, opens its doors, A-listers beeline — but tempers and tensions come to a boil, blackmail begins, and all hell breaks loose. Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
black + mail entry 4
First Known Use
1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing blackmail
Kids Definition
blackmail 1 of 2
noun
black·mail ˈblak-ˌmāl
1
: the act of forcing someone to do or pay something by threatening to reveal a secret
2
: something (as money) obtained by threatening to reveal a secret
blackmail
2 of 2verb
blackmailed; blackmailing
: to threaten to reveal a secret unless something is done (as paying money)
Legal Definition
blackmail
noun
black·mail ˈblak-ˌmāl
: extortion or coercion by often written threats especially of public exposure, physical harm, or criminal prosecution
blackmail
verb
as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone) The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- threaten
- extort
- squeeze
- drive
- force
- coerce
- impress
- harass
- racketeer
- pressure
- drag
- intimidate
- compel
- menace
- press
- terrorize
- muscle
- dragoon
- bully
- oblige
- shame
- obligate
- constrain
- browbeat
- blackjack
- exact
- wring
- sandbag
- wrest
- impel
- arm-twist
- make
- hector
- cow
- bulldoze
- high-pressure
- badger
- hound
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- let
- permit
- allow
- induce
- move
- convince
- satisfy
- persuade
- win (over)
- talk (into)
- argue
- prevail (on or upon)