BLACKMAILED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

blackmailed

verb

past tense of blackmail

as in threatened

to use blackmail against (someone) The old man was being blackmailed by his nephew.

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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 blackmailed Season two goes a little differently than season one, because the music exec in charge of casting the show (Ashley Padilla) is being lightly blackmailed by two … unique candidates (Jane Wickline and new cast member Grace Reiter). — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026 Blizzard insinuated that Paramount blackmailed California into negotiating a settlement by threatening to leave the state, a common talking point raised by Bonta. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2026 Assassination-for-hire is the tragicomic domain of people looking for someone to kill a spouse or a rival but getting blackmailed by teenagers pretending to be hit men in the process. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Although Sheldon was initially blackmailed into meeting Amy, the duo quickly bonded over their similarities and went on their first official date in season 4. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 Irene has blackmailed the Bohemian royal family, Carrie is a thief who has stolen rare stamps from a penniless woman unaware of their value, and Fanny disguises as a man to gain access to a bank vault. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 Some students discovered the account and blackmailed Nichols into giving them better grades, the warrant states. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 He was never blackmailed by Epstein. — Graham Kates, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Groff said Epstein told her again after the 2008 plea deal that he was blackmailed. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackmailed

Verb

Attacks on Abha and Riyadh's King Khalid international airports in Saudia Arabia threatened to pull the kingdom deeper into the latest front in the Iran war.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Mecklenburg County commissioners blasted Discovery Place over its handling of county money for its nature museum Tuesday and threatened to take control of the museum’s operations and hold Discovery Place in default for millions.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of threatened

Verb

Clement later successfully extorted one of Roshanki’s friends for $5,000 in drug proceeds, then insisted that Roshanski owed him money for drugs and fraud.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
The police chief allegedly extorted the victim and the victim’s father in connection with the pending murder case.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of extorted

Verb

Although robust buyer demand briefly drove yields down to session lows following the auction, yield levels above 5% remain substantially higher than the historical norm over the past decade.

— , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
The suit says Her displayed doctored, sexualized photos of Henry and other officers, including in Henry's own office, and drove unannounced to a golf simulator in Woodbury where Henry was spending personal time.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of drove

Verb

Doe alleges in her lawsuit that she was coerced into using drugs before the assault.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
They were coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement that prevented them from ever exposing the details of what happened, and at whose hands.

— Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerced

Verb

Joe Raedle | Getty Images Todd Jackson, Thomas Crowson and Colby Kaminer were impressed by Burger King’s management team and their vision for the chain.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Junior outside hitter Ishana Harish is one of the Mustangs who have been impressed with Candela’s play.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of impressed

Verb

Many members of the public also described to reporters and on social media feeling intimidated, scared and harassed by heavily armed security guards hired by the film company to keep the public off streets closed for the movie set.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Some Jewish students reported being verbally harassed while walking near the encampment.

— Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of harassed

Browse Nearby Words

blackmail

blackmailed

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“Blackmailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackmailed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blackmailed

verb

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