noun
blackmail
BLAK-mayl
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
Word Forms
blackmailed past tense, blackmails singular
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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.