blackmail

verb

Definition of blackmailnext
as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone) The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blackmail The researchers gave the model a goal, gave it the information required to blackmail a specific person, and removed every other path forward. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 Tensions ratchet even higher when Gerry learns the truth and, now fully unhinged, blackmails Russ into throwing the game against Texas for a $200,000 bet. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Racketeers blackmailed companies and executives, threatened to disrupt shareholder meetings, or intimidated other shareholders to keep quiet. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 As the deadline approached, Claude responded by threatening to blackmail Johnson, revealing the affair to his wife and coworkers unless the replacement was called off. — Kevin Roose, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026 Earlier in the day, shoppers who use the company’s app started posting screenshots of a push alert that appeared to be an attempt at blackmailing the retailer. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 Instead, Cohen said the women who reported him immediately only wanted to ensure Weinberg couldn’t use the photos to blackmail them — and those who came forward later were likely motivated by monetary gain. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 In the first episode, Prue will sit down with comedians Hope Carew and Andrew Stier to explore topics ranging from spreading the gay agenda through football to Thanksgiving nudism and how best to blackmail coworkers. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 The software might pursue options such as blackmailing its opponent or grabbing more compute time. — Deven Desai, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
  1. threaten
  2. squeeze
  3. drive
  4. extort
  5. impress
  6. coerce
  7. force
Verb
  • Matthew Unglesbee, a 36-year-old resident of Quincy in southwestern Illinois, was charged with violations related to false information and hoaxes and mailing threatening communications.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • When all out-of-court options have been exhausted, and the MCA debt threatens the immediate survival of an otherwise viable business, legal reorganization is the final angle of management.
    — Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of threaten
Verb
  • For hungry Southerners trying to squeeze a meal into their lunch breaks, that’s a major blunder.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Push through the soles of your feet and squeeze your glutes to drive your hips upward.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Zuckerberg and Wang want Muse Wonder and the more powerful Muse Wonder Full to drive Muse, Meta’s personal AI agent, which can act on people’s behalf.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of drive
Verb
  • Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hill alleged school board members tried to extort her into resigning in a memo sent to the board ahead of her firing.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of extort
Verb
  • James was impressed by the rising generation of perfumers’ work ethic, remarkable ideas and ability to storytell.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rocky was played by James Ortiz, an actor with extensive puppeteering experience who impressed Gosling at his initial audition.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of impress
Verb
  • The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • According to Moscow’s defense intellectuals, Russia may need to change its posture to contain this trend, including by seeking new tools to keep Europe at bay and to coerce it below the nuclear threshold.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of force

Browse Nearby Words

blackly
blackmail
blackmailed
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Cite this Entry

“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blackmail

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