as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone)
The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blackmail
After Matthew starts blackmailing Oliver, there’s an obvious shift in the way the group interacts with him.
—
Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
In one case, the bot attempted to blackmail one of the people advocating for replacing the AI.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
He was blackmailed by a person posing as a teenage girl on Facebook Messenger, Rodee said.
—Zach Vallese, CNBC, 26 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
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
In one case, the bot attempted to blackmail one of the people advocating for replacing the AI.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
He was blackmailed by a person posing as a teenage girl on Facebook Messenger, Rodee said.
—Zach Vallese, CNBC, 26 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
See All Example Sentences for blackmail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
Verb
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Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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That had grown to more than 30%, threatening to crowd out the tradespeople the group was built to serve.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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My sister looked up at me and ever so gently, with barely perceptible pressure, squeezed my hand.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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If real estate values turn soft in a region, the decline could squeeze a crucial revenue stream for cities, counties, regional agencies and school districts.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, a strange new trend has started, seeing users stitch together clips of Jeremiah from various episodes into horror film-like videos, driving home the message that this is not just another cute, curly-haired college student but a malevolent Disney villain.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Discover the fascinating economics driving billion-dollar industries.—
thehustle.co,
thehustle.co,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His fortune also faced some hits as he was allegedly extorted.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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Around that time in 2016, an undercover FBI agent approached Donna Adelson purporting to extort her with information about the contract killing on behalf of Rivera.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Paired with returning pro Mark Ballas, Leavitt impressed the judges with her poise and performance.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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After opening eyes in 7-on-7 competition over the summer, the senior has impressed Gambrell with his leadership.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Investigators allege that Hernandez coerced at least five minors into participating in the production of child pornography on at least seven occasions, consistent with the seven charges.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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Never use someone’s dream to coerce them into a relationship.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Kuomintang, or KMT, also known as the Nationalist Party of China, is the party formerly led by Chiang Kai-shek that ruled the entirety of the Republic of China before Mao Zedong’s communist military forced it to flee to Taiwan.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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The show also featured a number of first-time nominees and first-time winners like Tramell Tillman, Jeff Hiller, Hannah Einbinder, and Owen Cooper, all of whom were been forced to amend their moment in the spotlight to adhere to the joke.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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