BLACKMAILED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

blackmailed

verb

past tense of blackmail

as in threatened

to use blackmail against (someone) The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of blackmailed Assassination-for-hire is the tragicomic domain of people looking for someone to kill a spouse or a rival but getting blackmailed by teenagers pretending to be hit men in the process. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Although Sheldon was initially blackmailed into meeting Amy, the duo quickly bonded over their similarities and went on their first official date in season 4. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 Irene has blackmailed the Bohemian royal family, Carrie is a thief who has stolen rare stamps from a penniless woman unaware of their value, and Fanny disguises as a man to gain access to a bank vault. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 Some students discovered the account and blackmailed Nichols into giving them better grades, the warrant states. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Before work, Geri heads off to question Joyce Tercek, the Yale admissions lady that Dennis blackmailed in the elevator a few episodes ago. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026 He was never blackmailed by Epstein. — Graham Kates, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Groff said Epstein told her again after the 2008 plea deal that he was blackmailed. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 9 June 2026 In 2013, Southern Stars players were blackmailed into obeying instructions by having their salaries withheld. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailed

Verb

In addition to enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, this week, the administration threatened to severely sanction any country that does business with Iran.

— Justin Fishel, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Berlin’s artistic director, Tricia Tuttle, had to issue a formal statement regarding the media storm that threatened to engulf the festival.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of threatened

Verb

America’s aging farmers have been holding on to machinery for longer than usual as low crop prices and rising costs squeezed their finances.

— Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Officials said the bears appeared to have squeezed through a 1-foot-wide opening in the concrete structure (likely seeking water during hot, humid weather) and then couldn’t get back out.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of squeezed

Verb

Clement later successfully extorted one of Roshanki’s friends for $5,000 in drug proceeds, then insisted that Roshanski owed him money for drugs and fraud.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
The police chief allegedly extorted the victim and the victim’s father in connection with the pending murder case.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of extorted

Verb

The Middle East war and the resulting shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity costs, further squeezing Beijing's own appetite for commodity imports.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Matson testified that Paul Robinson visited to the fraternity house two days after his son posted bail, then drove with Matson to retrieve the safe while his son packed at the fraternity house.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of drove

Verb

The inspection followed a hunger strike by detainees, who in a letter, complained about rotten or worm-infested food, medical neglect, and being coerced into signing deportation orders.

— Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
In 1963, the Supreme Court banned confessions given under scopolamine and other truth-inducers as unconstitutionally coerced.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of coerced

Verb

Her dedication impressed the American press so much that in 1943, a US postage stamp featuring the Luxembourg flag was issued.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The fact that both quarterbacks checked their ego at the door has impressed North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impressed

Verb

Instead of glitz and glamour, her reporting revealed a world of misogyny and exploitation, where women were frequently underpaid, objectified, violated and harassed.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Their landlord was also reviewing whether to continue to rent the space to them after being harassed.

— KANIS LEUNG, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of harassed

Verb

As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of forced

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blackmailed

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“Blackmailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailed. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackmailed

verb

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