blackmailer
Threatens with secrets
A blackmailer is someone who extorts money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information.
The threat might involve exposing secrets, crimes, or embarrassing details: The blackmailer demanded fifty thousand to keep quiet about the affair.
Blackmailer implies ongoing coercion—the victim pays to prevent disclosure, often repeatedly.
One who demands payment through threats
- racketeerOrganized crime participant
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- scammerOne who defrauds others
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
embezzler · conspirator · felon · mobster · gangster · mafioso · underworld · crook
Obtaining through threats
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pressureForce upon contact
- duressCoercion through threats
- demandForceful request or requirement
ultimatum · ransom · threat · intimidation · manipulation · arm-twisting · compel · force
State of being unprotected
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- incriminateShow involvement in wrongdoing
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- dossierFile of personal information
compromising · confidential · disclosure · reveal · dirt · skeleton · damaging · sensitive
Crafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
ruthless · unscrupulous · manipulative · exploitative · opportunistic · predatory · cowardly · shadowy
extortionist
One who demands payment through threats
- racketeerOrganized crime participant
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- scammerOne who defrauds others
swindler · embezzler · conspirator · felon · mobster · gangster · mafioso · underworld · crook · con-artist
extortion
Obtaining through threats
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- pressureForce upon contact
- duressCoercion through threats
demand · ultimatum · ransom · threat · intimidation · manipulation · arm-twisting · compel · force · control
exposure
State of being unprotected
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- incriminateShow involvement in wrongdoing
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
dossier · compromising · confidential · disclosure · reveal · dirt · skeleton · damaging · sensitive · whistleblower
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
conniving · ruthless · unscrupulous · manipulative · exploitative · opportunistic · predatory · cowardly · shadowy · sinister
target
Object of pursuit
hostage · trapped · vulnerable · compromised · desperate · cornered · silenced · complicit · afraid · ashamed
- cybercriminalshacker, hackers, scammer, scammers, phishers
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
- lawbreakersthief, robber, burglar, vandal, smuggler
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
- exploitersexploiter, predator, parasite, user, leech
- swindlerscon artist, swindler, fraudster, scammer, grifter
blackmailerwhistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
truth-teller · exposer · muckraker · investigative journalist · leaker
blackmailerpolice
Civil law enforcement
detective · prosecutor · FBI agent · crime fighter · defender
- blackmail notesWritten coercion demands
- emotional blackmailCoercion via feelings
- blackmail letterThreatening message demanding payment
blackmailing, blackmailed, blackmails, blackmailers, blackmail