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to blackmail

to blackmail

139 5.6
To force someone to give money or do something by threatening to tell their secret
  • verb
  • /ˈblækˌmeɪl/
translation icon : chantajear
  • He tried to blackmail me by threatening to expose my secrets unless I paid him.
  • threaten or blackmail

I'm here to say it's wrong to blackmail Ukraine this way.

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Examples

Synonyms

to pressure
vsto blackmail
149 4.2

To try to make someone do something

uses explicit threats to expose secrets or cause harm instead of persuasion
to coerce
vsto blackmail
  • Offensive
91 6.4

Force someone to do something by threats

differs by using threats to reveal secrets or cause harm for gain
to extort
vsto blackmail
44 8.1

To get money or favors from someone by using threats

targets payment specifically by threatening to reveal secrets or cause harm
to wring
vsto blackmail
24 7.4

Make someone give you something by using pressure or threats

specifically uses threats of secret exposure or harm to get payment
to strong-arm
vsto blackmail
  • NSFW
15 7.5

To force someone to do something by threats or violence

involves threats to expose secrets or cause harm to demand advantage
to gouge
vsto blackmail
  • NSFW
8 8.3

To get money unfairly from someone by forcing them to pay too much

relies on threats to reveal secrets or harm to force payment
to squeeze for
vsto blackmail
  • NSFW
4 7.5

To pressure someone to give money or information when they do not want to

works by threatening to expose secrets or harm to obtain payment
to blackjack
vsto blackmail
  • NSFW
8.8

To force someone to do something by threats or pressure

adds the tactic of threatening secret exposure or harm to gain benefits

How Coercive

to extort
44 8.1
to blackmail
139 5.6
to coerce
  • Offensive
91 6.4
to threaten
987 3.3
to pressure
149 4.2

Surface Forms

blackmail infinitive
blackmailed past participle
blackmailing present participle
blackmails third person singular

Etymology

Blackmail as a verb comes from the same idea: it means to force someone to give money or do something by threat, like the old 'black' mail paid to avoid harm. That's why to blackmail someone today is to threaten them to get what you want.