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 proposal set off alarm bells in the Norwegian media, with unverified claims that Verrett was blackmailing Louise.
—
Barry Levitt, Time, 16 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
After Matthew starts blackmailing Oliver, there’s an obvious shift in the way the group interacts with him.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Barry Levitt, Time, 16 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
After Matthew starts blackmailing Oliver, there’s an obvious shift in the way the group interacts with him.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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The second-biggest party in South Africa’s government proposed an end to Black economic empowerment laws, a move that threatens to upend the country’s shaky coalition.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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But as the work stoppage drags on and the strikers face losing everything, friends become enemies, families are divided, and the very future of this typical mid-American town is threatened.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a sector already squeezed by rising land prices, material costs, and labor shortages, those weeks of manual quantification represent millions of dollars in overhead that never swing a hammer.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
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Made mostly of muscle without a bone in their bodies, these wonderful weirdos can squeeze into spaces scarcely bigger than their eyeballs.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The politically motivated preemption of the late-night program following host Jimmy Kimmel's brief remarks regarding the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drove a massive wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, a new report from the research firm Antenna shows, per The New York Times.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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Fortune reports on air traffic controllers who are driving for Uber and DoorDash to make ends meet.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nearly a billion records were stolen across dozens of organizations, and now cybercriminals are extorting victims by threatening to publish the data unless hefty ransoms are paid.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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Federal prosecutors who allege that Suffolk Sheriff Steven Tompkins extorted a Boston cannabis company are requesting the court to consider whether the defense counsel’s representation poses a conflict of interest in the case.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its bright white background contrasts with the blue and green design for an eye-catching look that’s sure to impress at every event.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
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The move worked out and Bellinger impressed in 2025.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a free society, the government provides broad media access and doesn’t try to coerce reporters into providing only favorable coverage.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
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Our federal government is coercing institutions to follow its dictates on student admissions, curriculum and programs.—
George R. Boggs,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Tunnels story is that Chinese immigrants built a network of tunnels under the city because they were forced to live underground; the tunnels were then used by gangsters and bootleggers, including Al Capone.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
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Delta said the disruption forced it to cancel more than 5,000 flights and cost it more than $500 million in revenue and compensation for passengers, among other expenses.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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