BLACKMAILING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

blackmailing

verb

present participle of blackmail

as in threatening

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 blackmailing Earlier in the day, shoppers who use the company’s app started posting screenshots of a push alert that appeared to be an attempt at blackmailing the retailer. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 The software might pursue options such as blackmailing its opponent or grabbing more compute time. — Deven Desai, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 An announcement that is taking the blame game to great heights or lows, depending on your POV and who is blackmailing who — to paraphrase Bonta banger of earlier this week. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 In the past, models from OpenAI and other providers were theoretically shown to be capable of blackmailing users to prevent shutdowns. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 July 2026 Later, we’re treated to an electrifying scene of Dennis blackmailing a woman named Joyce Tercek in an elevator. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 June 2026 Of course, Lili responds by blackmailing her, threatening to out her for accepting the principal position knowing she'd been mistakenly recruited for the job. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 At its mid-’90s peak, upwards of 14 million people tuned in each week to see who was sleeping with, blackmailing or attempting to murder whom. — Andrea Lavinthal, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026 Members of the group allegedly conduct coordinated extortions of teens by blackmailing them. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailing

Verb

All those factors are sending bond yields to multi-decade highs, raising the cost of borrowing and threatening to slow economic growth.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms of menopause that can become life threatening during extreme heat events and when cooling, hydration and hormone therapy are limited or unavailable.

— Jaquelyn Jahn, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of threatening

Verb

Democrats have hammered on meat as well, but mainly just as one of the staples that cost more under Trump, squeezing voters’ pocketbooks.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Democrats have hammered on meat as well, but mainly just as one of the staples that cost more under Trump, squeezing voters' pocketbooks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

Biggs has accused the Hobbs administration of driving up home prices with stringent water requirements that stalled new buildings in parts of the Phoenix area.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
No amount of spending from whatever PAC source is driving it into the elections are going to change that dynamic.

— NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
He was accused of extorting private contractors for bribes between 2018 and 2021 in exchange for helping the companies keep and obtain work on school construction contracts.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of extorting

Verb

At 6-3, 255 pounds, Howell was one of several top pass rushers in the draft who was dinged for arm length but is already impressing with varied rushes through the first two weeks.

— PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
The third-round pick out of USC was one of the stars of Ravens training camp, impressing in practices and scoring a touchdown in the team’s first preseason game.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of impressing

Verb

Kirschner said that his staff has been overwhelmed with homeless individuals causing property damage and harassing customers.

— Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The host played an alcoholic cop hosting a talk show, harassing his guests and violating their civil liberties along with his partner, Mikey Day.

— Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of harassing

Browse Nearby Words

blackmailers

blackmailing

blackmails

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“Blackmailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackmailing

verb

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