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
These creations are doing things their makers can’t explain, including blackmailing, lying, refusing to shut down and telling kids how to commit suicide.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Pavel accused Macinka of blackmailing him.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
The theory that Epstein was blackmailing his rich contacts was also always based on speculation.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
There are selfish motives as Hawk is also secretly trying to track down whoever is blackmailing him.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
The policy, which was adopted in late 2023, aims to deter foreign countries from blackmailing European countries through economic pressure.
—Philip Wang, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
In addition to the incident in the woods, the blackmailing further made Catherine/Lexy the perfect suspect.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The offenders will get young women to send explicit photos using similar blackmailing tactics.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Pavel accused Macinka of blackmailing him.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
The theory that Epstein was blackmailing his rich contacts was also always based on speculation.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
There are selfish motives as Hawk is also secretly trying to track down whoever is blackmailing him.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
The policy, which was adopted in late 2023, aims to deter foreign countries from blackmailing European countries through economic pressure.
—Philip Wang, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
In addition to the incident in the woods, the blackmailing further made Catherine/Lexy the perfect suspect.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The offenders will get young women to send explicit photos using similar blackmailing tactics.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailing
Verb
-
Yet videos reviewed by CNN showed officers regularly detaining or threatening to arrest people who never appeared to cross that line.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson aimed his trademark fiery dynamism at studio and network executives, forming the Rainbow Coalition on Fairness in the Media — an offshoot of his Rainbow Coalition that focused on social justice and economic equality — and threatening boycotts against projects that excluded minorities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The fall was aided by the cooling prices of gasoline, eggs, and beef, but rising costs for consumer goods like apparel, computers, and airfares suggest tariffs are still squeezing household budgets.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, 2026 is about building both stylish and sensible outfits that can take you from the airport to the streets with maximum versatility without ever squeezing into tight, form-fitting fabric.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thought about driving a race car.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The traveler confessed to extorting others to commit self-harm, the memo said.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Bandit gangs control entire districts, extorting protection money from communities in cash or kind, killing those that resist.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As well as securing the services of France under-21 international Jacquet, Liverpool recently brought young centre-backs Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe to the club, with the pair impressing at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Rye — and restaurants like it — are Dallas’ best shot at impressing Michelin.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ocasio 31 years ago in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, has certainly questioned the administration’s practice of harassing and breaking promises to Latinos, especially those from unstable nations who have sought asylum here.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Seattle defense, which nicknamed itself the Dark Side, lived in quarterback Drake Maye’s face, sacking him six times and harassing him into three turnovers.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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