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 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 Aviles and his attorney have denied the blackmailing accusation. — Connor Greene, Time, 4 Mar. 2026 Whitney had a Jeffrey Epstein-like habit of blackmailing powerful associates with recordings of intimate moments, often with his ex-escort assistant Haley (Kiernan Shipka). — Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailing

Verb

The cyclone's center was at far out sea and was not threatening land.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Summary Several investor rights firms are threatening class actions against into Suja Life after its stock plummeted following disappointing Q2 earnings and reduced guidance, attributed to grocery channel weakness.

— Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of threatening

Verb

In the distance, a toddler in a matching Nike outfit literally leaped into the arms of a crying woman, perhaps a grandmother, squeezing tightly for a hug.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
The floods will likely change that outlook, squeezing a country that’s heavily dependent on tourism while forcing a costly period of reconstruction.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

Economists can debate whether a top-15 economy should morph itself into a giant leveraged bet on the AI trade, one now driving growth to new highs rather than simply riding alongside it.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

In his report, Prescott said there is evidence substantiating the claim that Rodriguez-Mendez was extorting Guaranda.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
He is accused of extorting minors to write names on their naked skin, cut themselves and stick objects such as knives into their genitals.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of extorting

Verb

Running backs impressing The 49ers appear to have their best, and deepest, running back group since Christian McCaffrey’s arrival.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined on his 24th birthday, before making his Premier League debut just five days later, impressing at right-back during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Tyneside.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of impressing

Verb

And the American Indian Movement originated in Minneapolis in 1968, establishing community patrols to monitor police who were harassing Native American groups.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Nearly two years after Mica’s death, John-Paul was indicted for allegedly stalking and harassing her in the months leading up to her suicide.

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of harassing

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blackmailers

blackmailing

blackmails

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“Blackmailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackmailing

verb

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