# blackmail

/ˈbɫækˌmeɪɫ/ (US) · /blˈækmeɪl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blackmail
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

the act of demanding money or a favor from someone by threatening to reveal a secret about them. It often involves a person feeling trapped because they do not want others to find out the truth.

For teachers: the exertion of pressure or extortion by threatening to reveal incriminating or socially damaging information. In a legal context, it involves the demand for payment or action in exchange for maintaining confidentiality.

## Examples

- He paid the secret witness to stop the blackmail.
- The politician's career ended when a former associate tried to use old emails for blackmail.
- The plot of the thriller centers on a high-stakes case of digital blackmail, where an anonymous hacker threatens to leak corporate secrets unless a massive ransom is paid in cryptocurrency.

## Usage notes

- Usually treated as uncountable, though 'a piece of blackmail' or specific instances can be described; frequently occurs with the verbs 'commit', 'attempt', or 'succumb to'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.