blackmail

American  

[blak-meyl] / ˈblækˌmeɪl /

noun

1. any payment extorted by intimidation, as by threats of injurious revelations or accusations.

2. the extortion of such payment.

   He confessed rather than suffer the dishonor of blackmail.

3. a tribute formerly exacted in the north of England and in Scotland by freebooting chiefs for protection from pillage.

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verb (used with object)

blackmails, present (3rd person singular) blackmailed, past participle, past blackmailing present participle

1. to extort money from (a person) by the use of threats.

2. to force or coerce into a particular action, statement, etc..

   The strikers claimed they were blackmailed into signing the new contract.

blackmail British  

/ ˈblækˌmeɪl /

noun

1. the act of attempting to obtain money by intimidation, as by threats to disclose discreditable information

2. the exertion of pressure or threats, esp unfairly, in an attempt to influence someone's actions

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verb

1. to exact or attempt to exact (money or anything of value) from (a person) by threats or intimidation; extort

2. to attempt to influence the actions of (a person), esp by unfair pressure or threats

Usage

What does blackmail mean? Blackmail is the act of attempting to force someone to do something or give up something valuable by threatening negative consequences if they don’t, especially revealing negative information about them. Blackmail can also be used as a verb meaning to do such a thing. Less commonly, blackmail can refer specifically to a payment made due to threats or coercion. Perhaps the most common blackmail scenario is forcing someone to pay money in order to avoid having a negative secret revealed about them. Blackmail is a serious crime, but sometimes the word is applied to less serious situations. For example, making your sibling do your chores so you don’t tattle on them to your parents for something they did is definitely blackmail. Example: My life is an open book, so you have nothing to blackmail me with—everyone already knows all my secrets!

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• blackmailer
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has blackmailed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have blackmailed
  perfect
• is blackmailing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are blackmailing
  progressive
• have been blackmailing
  perfect progressive
• has been blackmailing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• blackmails
  singular 3rd person
• am blackmailing
  progressive 1st person singular
• blackmailing
  participle

Past

• had blackmailed
  perfect
• was blackmailing
  progressive singular
• had been blackmailing
  perfect progressive
• blackmailed
  participle
• were blackmailing
  progressive plural
• blackmailed
  simple

Future

• will blackmail
  simple
• will have blackmailed
  perfect
• will have been blackmailing
  perfect progressive
• will be blackmailing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of blackmail

First recorded in 1545–55; black + mail ³

Explanation

To blackmail someone is to use secret information to get something from them, usually money. Blackmailing is a crime. Blackmail is a type of threat. For example, if a politician's assistant knew the politician was having an affair, the assistant could blackmail the politician by threatening to tell the press. Blackmailers usually want money in return for keeping something a secret, but an employee with dirt on a boss could blackmail the boss to get a promotion. Anyone making threats and demands in return for keeping a secret is engaged in blackmail.

Example Sentences

This exemplary service failed to account for her disturbingly poor judgment, risking blackmail and conflict-of-interest allegations, since the Atlanta Police Department appears before her court; nor her lack of candor to the court.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

In a brief statement to the press before surrendering to police at the senate premises, Estrada described the charges as part of an attempt to blackmail him.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

I read a description of the series that summed things up like this: A divorced mom gets caught up in a perilous web of blackmail, murder and youth soccer.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Former Labour councillor Oliver Steadman has pleaded not guilty to blackmail at Southwark Crown Court in connection with the alleged 'honeytrap' plot targeting men involved in Westminster politics.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

I can almost believe it, but I can’t explain the blackmail.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli

Related Words

• bribe
• bribery
• extortion