blackmail

black·mail  (blkml)

n.

1.

a. Extortion of money or something else of value from a person by the threat of exposing a criminal act or discreditable information.

b. Something of value extorted in this manner.

2. Tribute formerly paid to freebooters along the Scottish border for protection from pillage.

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[black + mail.]

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blackmail v.

blackmailer n.

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blackmail

Noun

1. the act of attempting to obtain money by threatening to reveal shameful information

2. the use of unfair pressure in an attempt to influence someone

Verb

1. to obtain or attempt to obtain money by intimidation

2. to attempt to influence (a person) by unfair pressure [black + Old English māl terms]

blackmailer n

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	blackmail - extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information extortion - the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)
Verb	1.	blackmail - exert pressure on someone through threats blackjack, pressure act upon, influence, work - have and exert influence or effect; "The artist's work influenced the young painter"; "She worked on her friends to support the political candidate"
	2.	blackmail - obtain through threats crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offense, offence - (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act; "a long record of crimes" extort - obtain through intimidation

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blackmail

noun 1. threat, intimidation, ransom, compulsion, protection (informal) coercion, extortion, pay-off (informal) shakedown, hush money (slang) exaction

verb 2. threaten, force, squeeze, compel, exact, intimidate, wring, coerce, milk, wrest, dragoon, extort, bleed (informal) press-gang, hold to ransom

Translations

blackmail [ˈblækmeɪl] n → chantaje m

vt → chantajear

blackmail [ˈblækmeɪl] black n → chantage m

vt → faire chanter, soumettre au chantage

blackmail [ˈblækmeɪl] n → Erpressung f

vt → erpressen

blackmail [ˈblækmeɪl] n → ricatto

vt → ricattare