Blackmail

Pronunciation: /ˈblækˌmeɪl/

Definitions of blackmail

noun the action, treated as a criminal offense, of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them

Example Sentences

A1 Blackmail is a crime.

A2 She received a blackmail letter demanding money.

B1 The victim of the blackmail decided to report it to the police.

B2 The politician was caught in a blackmail scandal.

C1 The company's reputation was at stake due to the blackmail scheme.

C2 The mastermind behind the blackmail operation was finally apprehended by the authorities.

Examples of blackmail in a Sentence

formal The act of blackmail is illegal and punishable by law.

informal I can't believe he tried to blackmail me into doing his homework!

slang She's always using blackmail to get what she wants.

figurative The dark cloud of blackmail hung over their relationship, causing tension and distrust.

Grammatical Forms of blackmail

• past tense: blackmailed
• plural: blackmails
• comparative: more blackmail
• superlative: most blackmail
• present tense: blackmail
• future tense: will blackmail
• perfect tense: has blackmailed
• continuous tense: is blackmailing
• singular: blackmail
• positive degree: blackmail
• infinitive: to blackmail
• gerund: blackmailing
• participle: blackmailed

Origin and Evolution of blackmail

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Scots

Story behind the word: The word 'blackmail' originated in Scotland in the 16th century.

Evolution of the word: Originally referred to protection money paid by farmers to marauding thieves. Over time, the term evolved to mean extortion or coercion by threats of revealing damaging information.