as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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Several analysts see the spending commitments as overtures to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose tariffs threaten to roil supply chains and raise costs for the technology industry.—
Zaheer Kachwala and Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025 -
Until then, an old issue with Newcastle’s tactical set up and ability to react in the game threatened to spoil the party.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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The question of whether a modern Phantom can squeeze through the driveway gates remains to be seen.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, crossing over Antetokounmpo and driving to the basket for a right-handed layup with 1.3 seconds left.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
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Bracing for impact Meanwhile, expectations of a hit to the global economy from Trump’s tariffs have helped drive energy prices lower since April 2, as traders predict less demand for fuels.—
Olesya Dmitracova,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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In Smith's case, an image of her was doctored to create explicit pictures and videos, with her face edited onto different, partly nude bodies, and then used to try to extort money from others.—
Nicole Valdes,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
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His tariff scheme seems to have degenerated from a program to restore American manufacturing to little more than a form of blackmail to extort concessions from U.S. trading partners—in the process allowing Trump to present himself as a powerful leader whose ass is getting kissed.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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My test scores were at the top of the class, my presentations were spot on and my analytical skills impressed the evaluators.—
Aslak de Silva,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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David looked up to his older brother, impressed by his smarts and sense of independence, and wanted to be like him.—
Serge F. Kovaleski,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Gaslighting is a form of emotional and psychological manipulation in which one person attempts to coerce another person into doubting their own accurate observations, perspectives, and experiences.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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But tariffs have also evolved into a tool deployed by the White House to coerce foreign governments to comply with its broader agenda.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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So, does something like this become more important to force people to think and, again, put it into the perspective of kids who normally have much more optimism and have the chance to fix what other generations have completely f**ked up?—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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She would be forced to learn to enjoy the feeling of harmless transgression, as Heiss did.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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