Meaning & Definition of word "Blackmail"

Blackmail

/ˈblækmeɪl/

1. The act of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them.
- Example: He was a victim of blackmail after someone discovered his secret.
2. The use of threats to force someone to act against their will.
- Example: The politician faced allegations of blackmail regarding a past scandal.

1. To demand money or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing damaging information about them.
- Example: She was accused of trying to blackmail him over the photographs.
2. To coerce someone into acting against their will by using threatening behavior.
- Example: The criminal blackmailed the owner into paying for protection services.

●The term derives from 'black' meaning 'illegal' and 'mail' derived from 'male', which means 'payment'.

to blackmail someone:

To extort money or favors from someone by intimidation.

blackmail letter:

A written threat demanding payment to prevent the revelation of secret information.

victim of blackmail:

Someone who is being coerced or extorted.

extortion:

The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.

coercion:

The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.

Meaning: get someone to pay up

● Example Sentence: He managed to get her to pay up by threatening to expose her secrets.

Meaning: fishing for cash

● Example Sentence: The guy was just fishing for cash with those threats.