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Definitions

blackmail

[blak-meyl] / ˈblækˌmeɪl /
NOUN
intimidation for money; money to quiet informer
Synonyms




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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"Is this a way to put pressure on us? Is this blackmail?"

From Barron's Jul. 7, 2026

This exemplary service failed to account for her disturbingly poor judgment, risking blackmail and conflict-of-interest allegations, since the Atlanta Police Department appears before her court; nor her lack of candor to the court.

From Slate Jun. 8, 2026

I read a description of the series that summed things up like this: A divorced mom gets caught up in a perilous web of blackmail, murder and youth soccer.

From Los Angeles Times May 13, 2026

She was charged with four counts, including blackmail and destruction of records, and has pleaded not guilty.

From The Wall Street Journal May 10, 2026

She got a house of her own or worked successfully at blackmail or married a rich man.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

For Nate, a bid at redemption comes not from his mother but from Jade, who blackmails the A Taste of Athens manager, Derek into firing him.

From New York Times May 24, 2023

Persistent, and desperate, Cassie blackmails her for the spot saying she knows that Carol sells "buddy passes" and that everyone calls her "black market Carol" because of it.

From Salon Apr. 29, 2022

Kiki’s former spymaster, the shadowy Dr. Fox, persuades — well, blackmails — her into working for him again, gathering intelligence on possible threats.

From Seattle Times Jul. 30, 2021

In both, LEPRecon also recruits Mulch to get into the manor, although in the book LEPRecon blackmails Mulch while in the movie the dwarf attempts to negotiate his prison sentence by offering to help.

From Slate Jun. 12, 2020

Booth blackmails Atzerodt, saying belongings John Wilkes Booth took with he left his hotel room on April 14, 1865. he’s in too deep to back out.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Worse, the patients were the ones feeling emotionally blackmailed into donating money.

From MarketWatch Jul. 2, 2026

“We have never blackmailed anyone,” the post said.

From Salon Feb. 21, 2026

Which would get tiresome if she weren’t being blackmailed about William, the money and Neha’s perilous position with the police force.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 12, 2026

"We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," said Lars Klingbeil, at a press conference in Berlin alongside French Economy Minister Roland Lescure.

From Barron's Jan. 19, 2026

“You will never repeat that to anyone, do you hear me? I’ve come too far to have my position jeopardized! I won’t be blackmailed by a snot-nosed apprentice!”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

With all the intrepid sports reporters on the Times’ staff, I am surprised that nobody has uncovered the story that Michael Conforto is blackmailing either Andrew Friedman or Dave Roberts.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 6, 2025

Epstein conspiracists go way beyond this, however, insisting there’s a “client list” Epstein kept with detailed notes about who he was blackmailing and for what.

From Salon Jul. 15, 2025

These including using the pages to sell fake products or place scam adverts, harvesting personal information, spreading malware, tricking people into sending money, or blackmailing the company in question to unblock the account.

From BBC Apr. 16, 2025

“What We Do Next” is a three-person chamber drama that takes the scheming and blackmailing of political thrillers like “House of Cards” and shapes them into something like a morality play.

From New York Times Mar. 2, 2023

“So he’s been blackmailing Queen Orlagh,” Dain says, and the Roach and I look over at him.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black




Vocabulary lists containing blackmail


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