blackmail

Definitions

The crime of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them.

The act of exerting pressure on a person or group to force them to take a specific action.

Examples

The criminal attempted to blackmail the politician by threatening to release private documents.

She refused to give in to his blackmail, choosing instead to report the incident to the police.

Synonyms

extortion coercion hush money ransom shakedown intimidation duress

Antonyms

gift donation charity bribe compensation restitution payment