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blackmail

black·mail
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [blak-meyl]
    • /ˈblækˌmeɪl/
    • /ˈblæk.meɪl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [blak-meyl]
    • /ˈblækˌmeɪl/

Definitions of blackmail word

  • uncountable noun blackmail Blackmail is the action of threatening to reveal a secret about someone, unless they do something you tell them to do, such as giving you money. 3
  • uncountable noun blackmail If you describe an action as emotional or moral blackmail, you disapprove of it because someone is using a person's emotions or moral values to persuade them to do something against their will. 3
  • verb blackmail If one person blackmails another person, they use blackmail against them. 3
  • noun blackmail the act of attempting to obtain money by intimidation, as by threats to disclose discreditable information 3
  • noun blackmail the exertion of pressure or threats, esp unfairly, in an attempt to influence someone's actions 3
  • verb blackmail to exact or attempt to exact (money or anything of value) from (a person) by threats or intimidation; extort 3

Information block about the term

Origin of blackmail

First appearance:

before 1545
One of the 30% oldest English words
First recorded in 1545-55; black + mail3

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Blackmail

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

blackmail popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

blackmail usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for blackmail

noun blackmail

  • bribe — A bribe is a sum of money or something valuable that one person offers or gives to another in order to persuade him or her to do something.
  • ransomJohn Crowe [kroh] /kroʊ/ (Show IPA), 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.
  • protection — the act of protecting or the state of being protected; preservation from injury or harm.
  • tribute — a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem.
  • payoff — the payment of a salary, debt, wager, etc.

verb blackmail

  • coerce — If you coerce someone into doing something, you make them do it, although they do not want to.
  • badger — A badger is a wild animal which has a white head with two wide black stripes on it. Badgers live underground and usually come up to feed at night.
  • force — physical power or strength possessed by a living being: He used all his force in opening the window.
  • demand — If one thing demands another, the first needs the second in order to happen or be dealt with successfully.
  • compel — If a situation, a rule, or a person compels you to do something, they force you to do it.

Antonyms for blackmail

verb blackmail

  • give — to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow: to give a birthday present to someone.
  • save — to rescue from danger or possible harm, injury, or loss: to save someone from drowning.

Top questions with blackmail

  • what does blackmail mean?
  • what is blackmail?
  • how to blackmail someone?
  • what is emotional blackmail?
  • how to deal with blackmail?
  • how do you blackmail someone?
  • how to blackmail legally?
  • what does the word blackmail mean?
  • how to say blackmail in spanish?
  • how to respond to blackmail?
  • how to deal with emotional blackmail?
  • how to handle blackmail?
  • how to prevent blackmail?
  • why is it called blackmail?
  • what is the difference between extortion and blackmail?

See also

Matching words

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