Synonyms of blackmail

blackmail

verb

as in to threaten

to use blackmail against (someone)

The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.

Related Words

• threaten
• squeeze
• drive
• extort
• impress
• coerce
• force
• drag
• harass
• compel
• intimidate
• pressure
• menace
• racketeer
• press
• muscle
• exact
• oblige
• obligate
• constrain
• terrorize
• wring
• wrest
• shame
• bully
• impel
• browbeat
• high-pressure
• dragoon
• make
• sandbag
• blackjack
• arm-twist
• cow
• bulldoze
• hector
• badger
• hound

Dissimilar Words

• let
• permit
• allow
• move
• induce
• convince
• satisfy
• talk (into)
• win (over)
• argue
• persuade
• prevail (on or upon)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blackmail

Assassination-for-hire is the tragicomic domain of people looking for someone to kill a spouse or a rival but getting blackmailed by teenagers pretending to be hit men in the process. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Petersen said at the time that the city was giving in to blackmail from the business community. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

And in 1911 a disgruntled ex-Mormon hid a camera under his coat and snapped surreptitious photos of the temple’s interior in an unsuccessful attempt to blackmail the church. — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

But when even dim-witted Chad also balks at the plan, Nora is forced to blackmail him into participating. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Although Sheldon was initially blackmailed into meeting Amy, the duo quickly bonded over their similarities and went on their first official date in season 4. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Countries beyond the United States may be tempted to blackmail their allies, and the threat of nuclear attacks could become normalized. — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

An announcement that is taking the blame game to great heights or lows, depending on your POV and who is blackmailing who — to paraphrase Bonta banger of earlier this week. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Irene has blackmailed the Bohemian royal family, Carrie is a thief who has stolen rare stamps from a penniless woman unaware of their value, and Fanny disguises as a man to gain access to a bank vault. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026