blackmailed
Threatened for money
Blackmailed is the past tense of blackmail—to demand money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information.
Someone who has been blackmailed was coerced through such threats: She was blackmailed into silence.
The word extends to any coercive pressure: He blackmailed me into going to the party by threatening to tell Mom.
Obtained by intimidation
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- pressuredUrged with insistence
- compelledMade to act
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
intimidated · strong-armed · bullied · coerced · manipulated · exploited · leveraged · compromised
Concealed information
- exposureState of being unprotected
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
evidence · dossier · ultimatum · leverage · photographs · recordings · reveal · damaging
Payment for captive's release
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- demandForceful request or requirement
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
extortion · kickback · silence · protection · cash · envelope · untraceable · installments
One who demands payment through threats
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
opportunist · villain · tormentor · stalker · informant · accomplice · conspirator · adversary
extorted
Obtained by intimidation
threatened · intimidated · strong-armed · bullied · coerced · manipulated · exploited · leveraged · compromised · victimized
secrets
Concealed information
- exposureState of being unprotected
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
incriminating · evidence · dossier · ultimatum · leverage · photographs · recordings · reveal · damaging · confidential
ransom
Payment for captive's release
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- demandForceful request or requirement
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
shakedown · extortion · kickback · silence · protection · cash · envelope · untraceable · installments · offshore
extortionist
One who demands payment through threats
manipulator · opportunist · villain · tormentor · stalker · informant · accomplice · conspirator · adversary · nemesis
- blackmail notesWritten coercion demands
- emotional blackmailCoercion via feelings
- blackmail letterThreatening message demanding payment