as in threatening
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
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Recent Examples of blackmailing
Who is blackmailing Jack and what was their motive?
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
The offenders will get young women to send explicit photos using similar blackmailing tactics.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The proposal set off alarm bells in the Norwegian media, with unverified claims that Verrett was blackmailing Louise.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Another minor added that Smith involved her husband, telling him that the victim had a video of her smoking marijuana with them and was blackmailing her.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 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
Some users bragged about allegedly assaulting or blackmailing women and encouraged others to insult the women shown in photos with degrading language.
—Cnn Staff 20 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Some of the stranger and more alarming AI behaviors, such as blackmailing or deceiving users, have been extensively studied by these companies as a first step toward mitigating possible harms.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
The offenders will get young women to send explicit photos using similar blackmailing tactics.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The proposal set off alarm bells in the Norwegian media, with unverified claims that Verrett was blackmailing Louise.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Another minor added that Smith involved her husband, telling him that the victim had a video of her smoking marijuana with them and was blackmailing her.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 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
Some users bragged about allegedly assaulting or blackmailing women and encouraged others to insult the women shown in photos with degrading language.
—Cnn Staff 20 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Some of the stranger and more alarming AI behaviors, such as blackmailing or deceiving users, have been extensively studied by these companies as a first step toward mitigating possible harms.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailing
Verb
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If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Arsenal played attractive, threatening football, and looked poised for a rousing win.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs are rivals, battling for territorial control in Guatemala by extorting shopkeepers, transport workers and civilians.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Dec. 2025
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The couple allegedly asked customers’ family members to send original passports to them and then frequently refused to return the passports unless customers paid hundreds of dollars more, effectively extorting them, Ellison’s office said.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Restaurants such as Jacques and Noisette were impressing diners with caviar, duck and baguettes.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
30 Dec. 2025
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Parents might also consider that their teen could be removing body hair in the hopes of impressing a crush, which is why this also could be an opening to talk about safe sex and reproductive health.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Student and faculty critics also accused the university of being too slow to respond to complaints about a rising star astrophysicist, Christian Ott, accused or harassing and discriminating against female graduate students as early as 2012.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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While colectivo members were largely quiet immediately after Maduro’s abduction, some videos released on social media and news outlets have shown men believed to be colectivo members harassing reporters and people in the streets.—
Rebecca Hanson,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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