- any payment extorted by intimidation, as by threats of injurious revelations or accusations.
- the extortion of such payment: He confessed rather than suffer the dishonor of blackmail.
- a tribute formerly exacted in the north of England and in Scotland by freebooting chiefs for protection from pillage.
- to extort money from (a person) by the use of threats.
- to force or coerce into a particular action, statement, etc.: The strikers claimed they were blackmailed into signing the new contract.
- the act of attempting to obtain money by intimidation, as by threats to disclose discreditable information
- the exertion of pressure or threats, esp unfairly, in an attempt to influence someone's actions
- to exact or attempt to exact (money or anything of value) from (a person) by threats or intimidation; extort
- to attempt to influence the actions of (a person), esp by unfair pressure or threats
