as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
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Recent Examples of blackmail
Shay blackmails him, triggering a father-son feud.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
There have been reports of hackers using your home's location on maps to blackmail you or impersonating your boss to demand money.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But in July, the FBI and DOJ released a joint memo stating there was no Epstein client list and no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.
—Julie K. Brown Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
But in July, the FBI and DOJ released a joint memo stating there was no Epstein client list and no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
There have been reports of hackers using your home's location on maps to blackmail you or impersonating your boss to demand money.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But in July, the FBI and DOJ released a joint memo stating there was no Epstein client list and no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.
—Julie K. Brown Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
But in July, the FBI and DOJ released a joint memo stating there was no Epstein client list and no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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In certain cases, they were sent for no evident reason beyond trolling or threatening predominantly Democratic cities.—
Peter D. Feaver,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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Days after finishing a distant third in Hialeah’s mayoral election last week, Hialeah Mayor Jacqueline Garcia-Roves has moved to restrict communication between city employees and the mayor-elect, Bryan Calvo, a step that threatens to complicate the city’s first extended transition of power.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As an architectural blacksmith, Guillory favored Japanese denim jeans—a balance of craftsmanship and professionalism—for client meetings squeezed between long days welding staircases and chandeliers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
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But their arrival has coincided with a spike in housing prices, which has squeezed many locals out of the market.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The offer is available for dine-in and drive-thru only and is not valid through the McDonald’s app.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
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Timber, litter and understory vegetation are the main fuels driving the wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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By the following year, the FBI had recovered millions of dollars extorted from Colonial Pipeline by Darkside.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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But in a rarity, a string of attacks were sourced to a pair of cybersecurity employees out to extort millions from victims.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sahara Williams had a double-double as well with 11 points and 14 boards, while freshman Aaliyah Chavez impressed in her collegiate debut with 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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There is something undeniably exciting about a brisk breeze and the sensation of leaves crunching under your feet, so embrace the colors of the season with a front door refresh to brighten up your comings and goings (and impress all of your holiday guests come November).—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Further complicating matters, Doe was interviewed by Phong Tran, a then-Oakland detective who has since been charged with perjury for allegedly coercing witnesses into falsely incriminating murder defendants.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
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The lawsuit accused the company of coercing customers into signing agreements that allowed the company to act as the exclusive real estate listing agent for an undisclosed period of time.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His rule finally came to an end in 1998 after the Asian financial crisis threw the country into economic turmoil, prompting widespread protests and forcing Suharto to resign – one of the last people power movements to sweep Southeast Asia and replace a Cold War-era autocrat with democracy.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The last of those darts was fired (initially on X) by Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, who is a resistance darling of the moment after forcing through new, Democrat-friendly congressional maps in his state last week.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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