as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Mark Braddock, who worked for Todd’s foreclosure management company, Chrisley Asset Management, claimed while testifying in the couple’s fraud trial, Todd cheated on Julie with him and that they were blackmailed to keep it secret.
—Peter White, Deadline, 1 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
He was blackmailed by a person posing as a teenage girl on Facebook Messenger, Rodee said.
—Zach Vallese, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Mark Braddock, who worked for Todd’s foreclosure management company, Chrisley Asset Management, claimed while testifying in the couple’s fraud trial, Todd cheated on Julie with him and that they were blackmailed to keep it secret.
—Peter White, Deadline, 1 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
He was blackmailed by a person posing as a teenage girl on Facebook Messenger, Rodee said.
—Zach Vallese, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
-
The President and his allies have also repeatedly asserted in recent days that Democrats are threatening to shut down the government to secure public money for undocumented migrants, despite the claim being widely debunked.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Reds squeezed into the third wild-card slot for their first playoff appearance in five years.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Some people who have bought homes in the last few years feel squeezed by monthly payments that leave little cash left over.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While OpenAI says that scaling is key to driving innovation and future AI breakthroughs, investors and analysts are beginning to raise their eyebrows over the mindboggling sums.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
29 Sep. 2025
-
And entertainment, in my opinion, drives fashion culture.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Diplomats told investigators that some foreign nationals were extorted as much as $10,000 to avoid arrest at checkpoints.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Epstein also claimed at the time that his cellmate had tried to extort him.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Surprisingly, Darren Waller impressed greatly in his first game back in the NFL, picking up two touchdowns on three receptions for 27 yards.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And Pegasus comes dressed to impress.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Queen of the Dead then reappears as human Wanda in an attempt to coerce the teen into helping her.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The event comes as the government is careening toward a potential shutdown that could force some 2 million troops to work without pay if a spending bill doesn't pass Congress by midnight Wednesday.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Modern inkjets, including ink tank printers, will rarely force you to spend time cleaning with manual commands.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share