as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blackmail
The episode builds to a scene when Duncan, having sniffed out JoAnne’s scheme, blackmails her into an even larger scheme to pump rival executives for business scoops.
—
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026
Dan Levy knows exactly what keeps him up at night, as the possibility of being blackmailed into committing crimes has haunted him for years.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
The show follows two directionless siblings, Morgan and Nicky (Levy), who are blackmailed into the world of organized crime.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
When he gets blackmailed by a mystery man, Reeves' character gets help from his high school besties, played by Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026
Dan Levy knows exactly what keeps him up at night, as the possibility of being blackmailed into committing crimes has haunted him for years.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
The show follows two directionless siblings, Morgan and Nicky (Levy), who are blackmailed into the world of organized crime.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
When he gets blackmailed by a mystery man, Reeves' character gets help from his high school besties, played by Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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Alex Bonetig’s goal more than five minutes into extra time made the difference for Portland (4-1-5), which threatened repeatedly late to break a 1-1 stalemate that lasted nearly the entire second half.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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During the trial, the victim testified that Newton pointed a gun at the victim’s head and threatened her with it instead of attempting to pistol-whip her.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When picking your own, avoid squeezing the berries.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
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That’s way too much time to squeeze into a mere 140 minutes.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Daniel Schneemann then drove the next pitch just over the left-centerfield field wall for a two-run homer.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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As Sousa-Martins drove forward, another agent shot at him 13 times, injuring Sousa-Martins as well as Solomon Antonio Serrano-Esquivel, a passenger in one of the ICE vehicles who was already in federal custody.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Breaking bad Retail, hospitality and medical companies trusted cyber expert Angelo Martino to negotiate with hackers who were trying to extort them.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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To dispose of his body, the group allegedly used a familiar method, placing it in a crematorium furnace in a local funeral home whose owner was being extorted by another Hells Angels member.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 38-year-old was hired as the club’s new under-21s coach from Southampton’s academy last summer and then promoted to Rosenior’s backroom staff after impressing in a two-game spell at the helm following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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DeVito clearly impressed the Patriots’ staff enough last season to be promoted to second-string behind Maye.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the case against Roy Blackmon, two witnesses later testified their statements were coerced.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Warsh also minimized the president’s threats against the central bank, asserting that the Fed isn’t actually in any immediate danger of being coerced.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy botched an uncontested breakout pass, and Tage Thompson hounded Fraser Minten to force a turnover.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The resulting uproar forced the resignation of the chief Sinaloa prosecutor.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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