blackmail
Definition
noun
-
the notifiable offence of getting money from someone by threatening to make public information which he or she does not want revealed or by threatening violence
Examples He was charged with blackmail. • They got £25,000 from the managing director by blackmail. • She was sent to prison for blackmail.
verb
-
to threaten someone that you will make public information which he or she does not want revealed or to threaten an act of violence unless he or she does what you ask
Example He was blackmailed by his former boss.
Pronounciation
/ˈblækmeɪl/
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