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
Members of the group allegedly conduct coordinated extortions of teens by blackmailing them.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Aviles and his attorney have denied the blackmailing accusation.
—Connor Greene, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Whitney had a Jeffrey Epstein-like habit of blackmailing powerful associates with recordings of intimate moments, often with his ex-escort assistant Haley (Kiernan Shipka).
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
Gonzales has refused to address the report and instead claims the late staffer's husband is blackmailing him.
—Jj Velasquez, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Aviles and his attorney have denied the blackmailing accusation.
—Connor Greene, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Whitney had a Jeffrey Epstein-like habit of blackmailing powerful associates with recordings of intimate moments, often with his ex-escort assistant Haley (Kiernan Shipka).
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
Gonzales has refused to address the report and instead claims the late staffer's husband is blackmailing him.
—Jj Velasquez, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailing
Verb
-
When a series of tragic failures at New Era Community Health Center left scores of the county’s weakest, poorest and most erratic residents in danger, Florida health inspectors took the unusual step of threatening to shut down the home.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The videos have pulled back the curtain on ingredient shifts across some of the company’s most recognizable products — and a surging cocoa market that’s squeezing the entire candy industry.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Pios led 4-1 after a period and put the clamps down, methodically squeezing the clock and the Broncos’ hopes of a repeat title, a shift at a time.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The official reports into that incident show that Epstein initially told prison officials that his cellmate had tried to kill him after extorting him for money.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
There had been tension between Bo Nagar’s force and the local PDF units since last year over his BNRA fighters allegedly extorting money at road checkpoints.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Lucy’s achievements are impressing athletes who have been lifting since long before she was born.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The 25-year-old, embarking on his first full big league season after impressing with 14 starts last year, added zero walks and eight strikeouts with 68 pitches.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The woman, who was 52 at the time, allegedly began harassing Buckingham’s wife and son, dating back to 2021.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Fetzer said in an Instagram video that both cars were harassing them despite the cyclists following traffic rules in the bike lane.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blackmailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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