chantage

blackmail

noun shahn-TAZH Rare

Origin: From chanter (to sing) — originally slang for extorting money by threatening to 'sing' (denounce) someone.

Usage Note

Chantage always refers to criminal blackmail or extortion — faire du chantage à quelqu'un (to blackmail someone). The person who commits it is un maître-chanteur. The word is always masculine and has no related neutral sense.

Examples

"Il a été arrêté pour chantage."

Natural Translation

He was arrested for blackmail.

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