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Blackmailing: meaning, definitions and examples

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blackmailing

 

[ หˆblรฆkหŒmeษชlษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

illegal coercion

Blackmailing is the act of threatening to reveal information about someone unless they meet the specific demands or conditions set by the blackmailer. This often involves requesting money or other favors under duress. It is a criminal offense in many jurisdictions and can lead to severe legal consequences. The act can have serious emotional and psychological impacts on the victim, who may feel trapped and fearful of the repercussions of either paying or refusing to comply.

Synonyms

coercion, extortion, intimidation

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for blackmailing his former business partner.
  • The actress reported someone for attempting to blackmail her with intimate photos.
  • Blackmailing is often associated with organized crime.

Translations

Translations of the word "blackmailing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น chantagem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเฅเคฒเฅˆเค•เคฎเฅ‡เคฒเคฟเค‚เค—

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Erpressung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pemerasan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัˆะฐะฝั‚ะฐะถ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ szantaลผ

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่„…่ฟซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท chantage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ chantaje

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸantaj

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ˜‘๋ฐ•

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงุจุชุฒุงุฒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vydรญrรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vydieranie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ•ฒ่ฏˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ izsiljevanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรณttekt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะพะฟัะฐะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒแƒœแƒขแƒแƒŸแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸantaj

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ chantaje

Word origin

The term 'blackmail' originates from the early 16th century, from the Scottish term 'black meal,' referring to payment in goods or money for protection against raiders. It was a form of protection racketeering practiced by bandits. The 'black' in blackmail indicates the sinister nature of the act, while 'mail' derives from the Old Norse 'melda,' meaning 'to pay.' Over time, it evolved into the modern meaning we use today, which involves obtaining money or favors through threats of exposure. The word gained traction in legal contexts, especially with the rise of criminal cases involving coercion and extortion.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,157 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.