blackmailing
Threatening to expose
Blackmailing is the act of extorting money or favors by threatening to reveal damaging information about someone.
The threat typically involves exposure of secrets, scandals, or compromising material: He was blackmailing her with photos from the affair.
The word covers both the demand and the ongoing pressure to comply with it.
Concealed information
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- exposureState of being unprotected
- compromisingExposing to harm or scandal
incriminating · evidence · photographs · documents · recordings · information · revelation · scandal
Declarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- pressureForce upon contact
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
compulsion · duress · force · control · domination · subjugation · submission · compliance
Obtaining through threats
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
felony · conspiracy · racketeering · intimidation · prosecution · indictment · defendant · guilty
Act of hiding something
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- covertIntentionally concealed
hidden · confidential · anonymous · discreet · undercover · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · scheming
secrets
Concealed information
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- exposureState of being unprotected
compromising · incriminating · evidence · photographs · documents · recordings · information · revelation · scandal · reputation
threats
Declarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- pressureForce upon contact
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
exploitation · compulsion · duress · force · control · domination · subjugation · submission · compliance · silence
extortion
Obtaining through threats
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
fraud · felony · conspiracy · racketeering · intimidation · prosecution · indictment · defendant · guilty · sentence
concealment
Act of hiding something
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
covert · hidden · confidential · anonymous · discreet · undercover · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · scheming · plotting
- coercionduress, coercing, compelling, threat, forcing
- hostile behaviorsattacking, bullying, fighting, harassing, hitting
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- mistreatmentbullying, harassing, intimidating, oppressing, humiliating
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
blackmailingpersuading
Inducing belief or action
negotiating · requesting · asking · appealing · entreating
blackmailingprotecting
Keeping from harm
helping · supporting · defending · liberating · empowering
blackmailingkeeping secrets
safeguarding · discretion · confidentiality · covering for · shielding