English noun: blackmail | |||
1. | blackmail (act) extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information | ||
Broader (hypernym) | extortion | ||
English verb: blackmail | |||
1. | blackmail (social) exert pressure on someone through threats | ||
Examples | They blackmail him to write the letter | ||
Synonyms | blackjack, pressure | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | act upon, influence, work | ||
2. | blackmail (possession) obtain through threats | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | extort | ||
Domain category | crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offence, offense | ||