blackmail

verb

Definition of blackmailnext
as in to threaten
to use blackmail against (someone) The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmail
  1. threaten
  2. squeeze
  3. drive
  4. extort
  5. impress
  6. coerce
  7. force
Verb
  • World & Nation Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal.
    Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Upon gaining the upper hand, Helen threatens him in the manner of a wrathful domestic goddess.
    Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of threaten
Verb
  • Being able to squeeze a desperate Vegas team, without dropping too far in the top 10, might be a great play.
    Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • As the country navigates an ongoing housing supply shortage that has squeezed many Americans out of the market, rising insurance premiums in vulnerable areas could add to the affordability pressure already felt by homebuyers and homeowners, weighing more heavily on older citizens.
    Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • The 58-year-old man driving the taxi hit a 9-year-old boy and five women, ages 19 to 49, an NYPD spokesperson said.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
  • For some, the declines were symptomatic of a greater disorder originating from within the league itself, something egregious enough to effectively drive a fifth of the audience away within the span of a single year.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of drive
Verb
  • Automated and enabled by AI, criminal hackers will continue to extort victims at a startling rate in 2025.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Police are working to determine if other building residents have been extorted in similar ways, Chamberlain said.
    Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of extort
Verb
  • His experience, including time with Jim Rogers, Jim Chanos, George Soros, and Stanley Druckenmiller, impressed me.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Since Week 15, the former Missouri standout has impressed the coaching staff, allowing three catches for 23 yards on 12 targets.
    Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of impress
Verb
  • Chief Critic Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel criticized the Teamsters in a statement shared with Forbes, and accused the group of threatening, intimidating, and attempting to coerce Amazon employees to join them.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • And that, according to the district attorney, is an attempt to coerce or influence the public or its citizenry or an industry towards change, which is included in the terrorism charge.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • Something else to watch on a day when the temperature is forecast to be about 60 degrees at game time: The ‘Horns have forced multiple turnovers in eight straight games and are tied with Notre Dame for the nation’s lead with 28 TOs gained, though the Irish have played one less game.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Bodies begin to pile up as the police move in, and Daniel is forced to keep his fractured community together and catch the killer.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of force
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near blackmail

blackly

blackmail

blackmailed

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmail. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blackmail

Nglish: Translation of blackmail for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of blackmail for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blackmail

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