blackmail

[ blak-meyl ]
See synonyms for blackmail on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. 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.

Origin of blackmail

1
First recorded in 1545–55; black + mail3

Other words from blackmail

  • blackmailer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use blackmail in a sentence

  • But if you come along to the studio to-morrow afternoon you may possibly find me at work on a blackmailer.

    December Love | Robert Hichens
  • He had a retentive memory, and had not forgotten Dick Garstin's extraordinary remark about the blackmailer.

    December Love | Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for blackmail

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(tr)
  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

Origin of blackmail

1
C16: see black, mail ³

Derived forms of blackmail

  • blackmailer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012