chantaje

blackmail

noun chahn-TAH-heh Rare

Origin: From French chantage, from chanter (to sing/extort).

Usage Note

Chantaje is the standard term for blackmail or extortion by threats of exposure. The related verb is chantajear (to blackmail) and the perpetrator is a chantajista. The French origin (ch- → Spanish ch) is one of relatively few direct French borrowings in Spanish. Do not confuse with soborno (bribery, which involves paying someone rather than threatening them).

Examples

"Lo acusaron de chantaje a varios empresarios."

Natural Translation

He was accused of blackmailing several businessmen.

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