SpellRight › Spelling
Uncommonblackmail
The correct spelling is blackmail.
How to pronounce blackmail
noun
Say it like: Bla-kma-yl
The correct spelling is blackmail. The extortion of money by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure. For example: "He blackmailed a businesswoman by threatening to expose an alleged fraud."
Usage Examples
“He blackmailed a businesswoman by threatening to expose an alleged fraud.”
Meanings
noun
- 1.The extortion of money by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure.
- 2.A form of protection money (or corn, cattle, etc.) anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to the allies of robbers in order to be spared from pillage.
- 3.Black rent, or rent paid in corn, meat, or the lowest coin, as opposed to white rent, which was paid in silver.
- 4.Compromising material that can be used to extort someone, dirt.
verb
- 1.To extort money or favors from (a person) by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, such as injury to reputation, distress of mind, false accusation, etc.
- 2.(Kenya) To speak ill of someone; to defame someone.
Similar words
Words related in meaning — check their spelling too.