blackmail

[ blak-meyl ]

noun

1. any payment extorted by intimidation, as by threats of injurious revelations or accusations.
2. the extortion of such payment:

   He confessed rather than suffer the dishonor of blackmail.

3. a tribute formerly exacted in the north of England and in Scotland by freebooting chiefs for protection from pillage.

verb (used with object)

1. to extort money from (a person) by the use of threats.
2. to force or coerce into a particular action, statement, etc.:

   The strikers claimed they were blackmailed into signing the new contract.

blackmail

/ ˈblækˌmeɪl /

noun

1. the act of attempting to obtain money by intimidation, as by threats to disclose discreditable information
2. the exertion of pressure or threats, esp unfairly, in an attempt to influence someone's actions

verb

1. to exact or attempt to exact (money or anything of value) from (a person) by threats or intimidation; extort
2. to attempt to influence the actions of (a person), esp by unfair pressure or threats

Derived Forms

• ˈblackmailer, noun

Other Words From

• blackmailer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackmail¹

First recorded in 1545–55; black + mail ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackmail¹

C16: see black , mail ³

Example Sentences

“The vast majority of officers are corrupted as a result of conditioning, manipulation, coercion and blackmail, while being badly trained, poorly led and inadequately supervised,” he adds.

From BBC

But addressing the conference on its second day, President Aliyev said Azerbaijan had been subject to "slander and blackmail" ahead of COP29.

From BBC

A man who pleaded guilty to trying to blackmail 16 women into sending him sexual videos and images has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.

From BBC

He read out the details of each case of blackmail, including graphic details of the "customised sexual videos" that Morrow demanded from victims.

From BBC

Morrow, who sat with his eyes downcast throughout the hearing, had at first denied all the charges, but eventually admitted the blackmail.

From BBC

Related Words

• bribe
• bribery
• extortion