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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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California accused Paramount of "blackmail" on Tuesday over a reported threat to pull the company out of the state because of lawsuits aimed at stopping its mega-merger with Warner Bros.

From Barron's Aug. 11, 2026

When it is tied to "an unparalleled moral eminence", he wrote, a fast unto death "amounts to blackmail".

From BBC Jul. 16, 2026

Intent on keeping the band’s image clean, and fearful of his own exposure, Epstein ventured to some dark places, metaphorical and otherwise, leaving himself open to blackmail.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 12, 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

“Are you saying you would have caved in to blackmail like that?”

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

When Ava learns of the betrayal, she blackmails Deborah into giving her the job.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 19, 2024

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

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

Black, who was one of Epstein’s biggest financial clients, has said he didn’t know about Epstein’s crimes, never abused a woman and wasn’t blackmailed by Epstein.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 3, 2026

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

"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’re telling me that Dusty Muleman blackmailed the government’s lawyers?”

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Some have suggested that Moreno had been silent because Miller was blackmailing him.

From Slate Aug. 3, 2026

I spoke to the late-life lovebirds about their process of marital manuscript-making: the good, the not so good and the blackmailing.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 19, 2026

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

“I don’t know what you’re getting at—nobody’s blackmailing me.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck




Vocabulary lists containing blackmail


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