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 theory that Epstein was blackmailing his rich contacts was also always based on speculation.
—
Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
There are selfish motives as Hawk is also secretly trying to track down whoever is blackmailing him.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Eager to have his cake and eat it too, Benedict blackmails Sophie into taking a job with his mother.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
Officers say one of those arrested was an employee at the store who claimed he was being blackmailed into helping with the scheme.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
There are selfish motives as Hawk is also secretly trying to track down whoever is blackmailing him.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Eager to have his cake and eat it too, Benedict blackmails Sophie into taking a job with his mother.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
Officers say one of those arrested was an employee at the store who claimed he was being blackmailed into helping with the scheme.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The fitness of the second and third generations is threatened by the very privilege they are born into.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But, squeezed by the cost of things from rent to beef, others are shaking up their habit.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Ag is being squeezed by foreign competition, rising costs, and weak leadership in Austin.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Molecular motion drives repair In earlier animal studies, a single injection 24 hours after severe injury enabled mice to regain the ability to walk within weeks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management advised the public to secure loose outdoor items, watch for falling branches, and use caution while driving or walking.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Clayton said Taylor also used his NYPD influence to try to extort at least two other business owners for payments.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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The traveler confessed to extorting others to commit self-harm, the memo said.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Week after week, her photos and skills impressed the judges — but the critiques kept coming.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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Quill said that talent alone doesn’t impress him.—
Abraham Nudelstejer,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hearst maintained that she was coerced, but she was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
16 Feb. 2026
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The state’s prisons unconstitutionally coerced labor by levying severe punishments — including solitary confinement — against prisoners who refused to work, Denver District Court Judge Sarah Wallace found in the 61-page ruling.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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Scottie Barnes won the opening 12-minute game for the Stars with a game-ending 3-pointer in overtime, beating the World 37-36 after Edwards forced OT.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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