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
During the Season 3 finale, DA Haller questioned private investigator Neil Bishop, who admitted he was blackmailed into working for Drug Enforcement Administration agent James De Marco.
—
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Officers say one of those arrested was an employee at the store who claimed he was being blackmailed into helping with the scheme.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
But now Europeans feel that they’re being blackmailed.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
The comment appeared to be drawing attention to the fact that Colton starred on and dated women on both The Bachelorette and The Bachelor before later coming out as gay in 2021 after the reality star said he was being blackmailed by an individual who had threatened to release a photo of him.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Evans added that Davenport is being blackmailed, but declined to comment further on the case.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Officers say one of those arrested was an employee at the store who claimed he was being blackmailed into helping with the scheme.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
But now Europeans feel that they’re being blackmailed.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
The comment appeared to be drawing attention to the fact that Colton starred on and dated women on both The Bachelorette and The Bachelor before later coming out as gay in 2021 after the reality star said he was being blackmailed by an individual who had threatened to release a photo of him.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Evans added that Davenport is being blackmailed, but declined to comment further on the case.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailed
Verb
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On this occasion, his team only threatened to restore parity once, Henderson blocking Kostoulas’s shot after he was put through by Georginio Rutter.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Proctor threatened to shoot the animal.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.—
Evan Howell,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
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Walmart had become the poster child of the big bad corporation that underpaid its workers, squeezed its suppliers and tore at the fabric of small-town America.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, the company declined to answer follow-up questions about when the breach occurred, whether customer data was involved or if it is actively being extorted.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In his defense, Barnett took the stand to say there was no murder plot and that Thomas extorted him for the money using physical violence – knocking out his teeth, injured his left shoulder, and smacking his private parts.—
Sydney Pereira,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Employment in health care again drove payroll gains in January, adding 82,000 jobs.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
His latest model, the Nike Ja 3, has drawn significant praise for a more radical design than its two predecessors and drove him to becoming StockX‘s second bestselling signature athlete.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
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According to the recent court filings, members are coerced to provide all of the labor in the GCCA compound without compensation.—
Jane Borden,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When visiting the sets, Heller was impressed by the contrast between the scope of the production and its intimate artistry.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Powell isn’t the only Heat veteran who has been impressed by Jakucionis’ recent play.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Court documents show Shadbar, who is white, yelled several derogatory racist and sexist slurs at his neighbors and had regularly harassed the family, including firing blank rounds toward Robertson’s home and throwing an M-80 type of firework over the fence into her yard.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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This is no longer about ideology, this is about standing up for those who are being wrongly arrested, being unfairly harassed or being made to feel constantly frightened in their own homes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The defense forced three turnovers, Jason Myers kicked a Super Bowl-record five field goals, and running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards to earn most valuable player as the Seahawks finished the season with 10 consecutive victories.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Anutin has been prime minister only since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of his immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia.—
GRANT PECK,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailed. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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