as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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Several analysts see the spending commitments as overtures to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose tariffs threaten to roil supply chains and raise costs for the technology industry.—
Zaheer Kachwala and Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025 -
Until then, an old issue with Newcastle’s tactical set up and ability to react in the game threatened to spoil the party.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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Productivity expectations have skyrocketed, squeezing more output into fewer hours.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The video showed several vehicles that drove around the minivan in the lanes on either side.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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This multiyear partnership provides the time and platform to drive meaningful impact redefining the role of skin care in performance, recovery and well-being.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 May 2025
Verb
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In Smith's case, an image of her was doctored to create explicit pictures and videos, with her face edited onto different, partly nude bodies, and then used to try to extort money from others.—
Nicole Valdes,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
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His tariff scheme seems to have degenerated from a program to restore American manufacturing to little more than a form of blackmail to extort concessions from U.S. trading partners—in the process allowing Trump to present himself as a powerful leader whose ass is getting kissed.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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David looked up to his older brother, impressed by his smarts and sense of independence, and wanted to be like him.—
Serge F. Kovaleski,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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My test scores were at the top of the class, my presentations were spot on and my analytical skills impressed the evaluators.—
Aslak de Silva,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Its alliances were coerced, its innovations lagged behind, and its industrial system collapsed under its own contradictions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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The administration is threatening to withhold federal money from universities as a way to coerce many of them to comply with administration policies in ways that implicate free speech and in some instances violate legal processes for the withholding of federal support.—
Daniel Hall,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Five years after the pandemic forced children into remote instruction, two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders still cannot read at grade level.—
K. Dara Hill,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
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Such environments can force the plane downward, disrupt its ability to climb, or reduce lift on the wings, according to aviation experts.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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