as in threatened
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
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Recent Examples of blackmailed
Sextortion, a scheme where victims are deceived into sending online perpetrators explicit images and then blackmailed in exchange for money or additional graphic content, has affected thousands of teens in recent years and led to multiple suicide deaths.
—
Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
However, prosecutors portrayed Homolka as a battered wife who was beaten and blackmailed into aiding Bernardo, per the Associated Press.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
The attorney general of California may have been blackmailed.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 29 Nov. 2025
The bill was inspired by a Wisconsin teen who died by suicide after being blackmailed.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
These teen boys were blackmailed online.
—Nancy Cutler, USA Today, 20 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
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
Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
However, prosecutors portrayed Homolka as a battered wife who was beaten and blackmailed into aiding Bernardo, per the Associated Press.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
The attorney general of California may have been blackmailed.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 29 Nov. 2025
The bill was inspired by a Wisconsin teen who died by suicide after being blackmailed.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
These teen boys were blackmailed online.
—Nancy Cutler, USA Today, 20 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailed
Verb
-
Plaintiffs allege Pepsi monitored competitors’ retail pricing and took corrective action whenever Walmart’s price advantage was threatened.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The radical republic that replaced it bore little resemblance to the partner of 1778, having descended into chaos, executions, and ideological extremism that threatened neighboring states.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Even if those increases eventually unwind, the impact will fall on households that have already been squeezed for decades, and many households are no longer assuming prices will fall back—they’ve been burned too often.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to the indictment, the two defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy, committed multiple murders, engaged in drug distribution and extorted victims.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
An Orange County Civil Court wants Thompson to fill out an information sheet about his personal finances after last December’s $60,150 judgment in a lawsuit filed by Scott Meyer, who was extorted by Thompson’s Moving Giants.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The process is called cabotage and the merchants who plied the shores of the Mediterranean not only drove trade, but also increased interactions between cultures.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Jake Davis made a 3-pointer, and Wagler drove inside for a three-point play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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How was Twitter to plainly determine whether an amateur pornographic video featured a sixteen-year-old or an eighteen-year-old, or if that video was consensually produced or violently coerced?—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Workers the administration couldn’t fire were coerced into leaving on their own.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was impressed by his commitment and the 14-year quest of he and partner Matt Dallas (who also stars in the film) to make the film.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Like Sheaf and James, Dobson has impressed hugely this season.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Many of you have been told this law enforcement officer wasn’t hit by a car, wasn’t being harassed, and murdered an innocent woman.—
Holmes Lybrand,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Many of you have been told this law enforcement officer wasn't hit by a car, wasn't being harassed, and murdered an innocent woman.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With temperatures climbing above freezing and sunny skies melting half the structure, they were forced to start over entirely.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Twenty-two people — two civilians and 20 firefighters — were injured and thousands were forced to evacuate.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailed. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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