blackmail
2 synonyms for blackmail, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The crime of demanding money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The crime of demanding money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information.
“She refused to give in to his blackmail.”
How to use blackmail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
blackmail someone
a blackmail attempt
victim of blackmail
Etymology
From black plus an old word "mail" meaning rent or tribute — originally the protection money paid to border raiders in Scotland and northern England to avoid being robbed.
Full origin of blackmail →Frequently asked questions
What does “blackmail” mean?
The word “blackmail” means the crime of demanding money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information. In plain terms, getting money or favors out of someone by threatening to reveal their secrets.
How do you pronounce “blackmail”?
“Blackmail” is pronounced BLAK-mayl (/ˈblækˌmeɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “blackmail” in a sentence?
Here is “blackmail” used in a sentence: “She refused to give in to his blackmail.”
What part of speech is “blackmail”?
Depending on how it is used, “blackmail” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “blackmail” a common word?
“Blackmail” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “blackmail” have?
“Blackmail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the crime of demanding money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information.
