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.

---

verb (used with object)

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

---

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

• blackmailer noun

Etymology

Origin of blackmail

First recorded in 1545–55; black + mail ³

Example Sentences

“We have never blackmailed anyone,” the post said.

From Salon

J. Edgar Hoover, who led the FBI for 48 years, had established a personal fiefdom devoted to consolidating power and pursuing his own personal obsessions, sometimes with blackmail and coercion.

From Salon

Nor does any glaring evidence point to the theorized blackmail of his rich alleged co-conspirators and clients.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shambaugh said in an interview that his experience shows the risk that rogue AIs could threaten or blackmail people is no longer theoretical.

From The Wall Street Journal

Magyar accused Fidesz of trying to blackmail him and made three allegations of unlawful conduct in a statement on Friday.

From BBC

Related Words

• bribe
• bribery
• extortion