Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
emotional blackmail
noun
/ɪˈmoʊʃənl ˈblækmeɪl/
Definition
A form of manipulation where someone uses emotional threats to control another person’s behavior or decisions.
Examples
- She felt trapped in the relationship due to her partner’s emotional blackmail.
- He used emotional blackmail to force his friend to lend him money.
- Many people struggle to recognize emotional blackmail in their friendships.
Meaning
Emotional blackmail occurs when an individual coerces another by leveraging their emotional vulnerabilities, often inducing feelings of guilt, fear, or obligation to achieve compliance.
Synonyms
- manipulation
- coercion
- emotional coercion
- guilt-tripping
