blackmail

Meanings

• Noun

  The act of threatening to expose damaging information or secrets about someone unless they pay or do what you want.

  - "He used blackmail to get the CEO to give him a promotion."
  - "The politician was caught in a scandal and faced blackmail threats."
  - "She threatened to reveal his secret if he didn't pay her."

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with blackmail
mail , ail , jail , ailment , hail , veil

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Variants

List of all variants of blackmail that leads to same result
blackmail , blackmailed , blackmailer , blackmailers , blackmailing , blackmails , emotional blackmail

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meant 'to mail something back' but came to mean 'to extort money' after a series of letters were sent threatening to reveal damaging information.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'blackmail' first appeared in print in the late 18th century.

2. Blackmail was once a common tactic used by tabloid newspapers to extort money from celebrities.

3. In some countries, blackmail is not a crime if the damaging information is true.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Extortion: Blackmail is a form of extortion that involves threatening to reveal damaging information instead of using physical force or the threat of violence.

2. Coercion: Blackmail is a form of coercion that involves using threats or intimidation to force someone to do something they wouldn't otherwise do.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Blackmail has been a common theme in literature and film, often portrayed as a morally ambiguous or even heroic act. In some cases, blackmail is used to expose corruption or wrongdoing, while in others it is used for personal gain or revenge.

How to Memorize "blackmail"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person holding a letter with damaging information, threatening to reveal it unless they receive payment or other demands are met.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'blackmail' with the idea of power and control, as well as the threat of revealing damaging information.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Bribes And Menacing Letters Intimidate And Coerce' to remember the definition of blackmail.

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