blackmail
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.
See Examples For:
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
The Diary of Anne Frank
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Flush
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!