Library / English Dictionary

BLACKMAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("blackmail" is a kind of...):

extortion (the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence))

Derivation:

blackmail (obtain through threats)

blackmail (exert pressure on someone through threats)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Obtain through threats

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "blackmail" is one way to...):

extort (obtain through intimidation)

Domain category:

crime; criminal offence; criminal offense; law-breaking ((criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

blackmail (extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information)

blackmailer (a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exert pressure on someone through threats

Synonyms:

blackjack; blackmail; pressure

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "blackmail" is one way to...):

act upon; influence; work (have and exert influence or effect)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They blackmail him to write the letter

Derivation:

blackmail (extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information)

blackmailer (a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them)

Credits