blackmail

noun

black·​mail ˈblak-ˌmāl How to pronounce blackmail (audio)
Synonyms of blackmailnext
1
: a tribute anciently exacted on the Scottish border by plundering chiefs in exchange for immunity from pillage
2
a
: extortion or coercion by threats especially of public exposure or criminal prosecution
b
: the payment that is extorted
blackmail transitive verb
blackmailer noun

Examples of blackmail in a Sentence

She was a victim of blackmail. The servant extorted blackmail from her employer.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That blackmail could be in the offing. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 Maslany plays Paula, a divorced fact-checker and soccer mom who finds herself in a web of murder, blackmail and youth soccer. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 He's apparently spoken to a friend with law enforcement ties about her blackmail situation. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 The two women talk, and Ashley repeats that Trevor was involved in a blackmail scheme with Dennis, but that Trevor complained about his cut. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for blackmail

Word History

Etymology

black entry 1 + mail entry 4

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blackmail was in 1552

Phrases Containing blackmail

Rhymes for blackmail

See All Rhymes for blackmail

Browse Nearby Words

black maidenhair
blackmail
black maire
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blackmail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackmail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

blackmail

noun
black·​mail ˈblak-ˌmāl How to pronounce blackmail (audio)
1
: the act of forcing a person to do or pay something especially by a threat to reveal a secret
2
: something (as money) obtained through blackmail
blackmail verb
blackmailer noun
Etymology

from black (the color) and mail "rent, payment," from Old English māl "agreement," of Norse origin

Word Origin
The word blackmail has no connection at all with the postal system. In the 16th and part of the 17th centuries, the area along the border between England and Scotland was not usually protected by the officials on either side. Landholders were beset not only by outlaws but also by their own chieftains, who told them that in return for payment they would not be raided. In Scotland mail means "rent" or "payment." This word comes ultimately from an Old Norse word māl meaning "agreement" or "speech." The mail delivered by a letter carrier originally meant "sack, bag," and referred to the sack in which letters were carried; it is hence completely distinct in origin from the mail of blackmail.

Legal Definition

blackmail

noun
black·​mail ˈblak-ˌmāl How to pronounce blackmail (audio)
: extortion or coercion by often written threats especially of public exposure, physical harm, or criminal prosecution
blackmail transitive verb
blackmailer
-ˌmā-lər
noun
Etymology

originally, payment extorted from farmers in Scotland and northern England, from black + dialectal mail payment, rent

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