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

Examples of blackmail in a Sentence

She was a victim of blackmail.

The servant extorted blackmail from her employer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bad actors can use these images to extort, blackmail, and harm the reputations of average people, experts warned. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023

For the past 6 months, Mr. Combs, has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Nov. 2023

Mitchell Schuster Meister Seelig & Fein Superstars like Travis Scott, as well as a host of pro athletes and actors, keep Schuster in their contacts for criminal and civil matters ranging from blackmail attempts and nightclub assaults to family issues and texting scandals. —Ashley Cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Sep. 2023

Players can gain points of Superiority through their investigations which reflect learning things like blackmail, weaknesses and secrets of a target. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023

Scammers are targeting teenagers with everything from low-level phishing attempts to devastating blackmail scams. —Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023

For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023

Breaking into your accounts, pretending to be you, or blackmail threats, the danger is real and relentless. —Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 10 Oct. 2023

The film follows a newlywed couple held captive by an entrepreneur desperate to finance his outlandish invention with a blackmail plot. —Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

black entry 1 + mail entry 4

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blackmail

• emotional blackmail

• emotional blackmail

Kids Definition

blackmail

noun

black·​mail ˈblak-ˌmāl 

1

: the act of forcing a person to do or pay something especially by a threat to reveal a secret

2

: something (as money) obtained through blackmail

blackmail verb

blackmailer noun

Etymology

from black (the color) and mail "rent, payment," from Old English māl "agreement," of Norse origin

Word Origin

The word blackmail has no connection at all with the postal system. In the 16th and part of the 17th centuries, the area along the border between England and Scotland was not usually protected by the officials on either side. Landholders were beset not only by outlaws but also by their own chieftains, who told them that in return for payment they would not be raided. In Scotland mail means "rent" or "payment." This word comes ultimately from an Old Norse word māl meaning "agreement" or "speech." The mail delivered by a letter carrier originally meant "sack, bag," and referred to the sack in which letters were carried; it is hence completely distinct in origin from the mail of blackmail.

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 transitive verb

blackmailer

-ˌmā-lər

noun

Etymology

originally, payment extorted from farmers in Scotland and northern England, from black + dialectal mail payment, rent