noun
Uncommon
blackmail
BLAK-mayl
Blackmail (noun) means the crime of demanding money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information. Example: “She refused to give in to his blackmail.”
noun
1
The crime of demanding money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information.
"She refused to give in to his blackmail."
"The email was a clumsy attempt at blackmail."
verb
1
To force someone to pay money or do something by threatening to expose damaging information.
"He tried to blackmail his old business partner over the fraud."
How to use blackmail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting money or favors out of someone by threatening to reveal their secrets.
Common pairings
blackmail someone
a blackmail attempt
victim of blackmail
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- blackmails
- Past tense
- blackmailed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She refused to give in to his _____.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for blackmail
See all rhymes for 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.
