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
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
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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Signing bonuses are at an all-time high, threatening to attract individuals who place personal financial gain over principle.—
Keith Wilson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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But trade tensions have reignited, with Trump threatening to impose tariffs starting at 130% on Chinese exports by November 1, up from the 30% minimum rate currently in effect.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Like, the sharp pains, the ache, that squeezing.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Baker says each piece is so soft, almost like squeezing mini chunks of cotton candy.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bruce Owens, 49, of Paragould, who was driving the Hyundai, and a minor who was riding in the Jeep and not identified in the report were injured, the report says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
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After the video spread on social media, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X that the arrest came as US Border Patrol was driving around conducting immigration enforcement.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And in response, the Maduro regime is extorting them by holding their nationals in prison and forcing them to engage with the Maduro regime for their release.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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Taxi and bus drivers, meanwhile, say gangs are extorting them for money and that the government is not doing enough to intervene.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In Season 1, Gillory was a janitor at the LAPD but become a full-time consultant after solving a murder case and impressing everyone with her IQ of 160.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
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Last year, after being drafted and impressing during preseason, Yakemchuk was sent back to the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League for more development.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Emil Heineman was draped all over Dvorak’s back, harassing him through the neutral zone.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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After several weeks harassing various kind reenactors by phone call and email, I was dumped into the aproned lap of Stacy Booth, a member of Colonel Bailey’s 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, which provides impressions of individuals who might have lived between 1770 and 1783.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blackmailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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