to blackmail / extort
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to blackmail
To force someone to pay money or do something specific by threatening violence or the disclosure of compromising information.
Er wurde erpresst, eine hohe Summe zu zahlen, damit die Fotos nicht veröffentlicht werden.
He was blackmailed into paying a large sum so that the photos would not be published.
to blackmail
In a figurative sense, to put someone under strong emotional or moral pressure in order to force a certain behavior.
Sie fühlte sich von ihm emotional erpresst, die Beziehung nicht zu beenden.
She felt emotionally blackmailed by him into not ending the relationship.
The verb consists of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'pressen' (to press). The prefix 'er-' here suggests that a specific result is forced or achieved through pressure ('pressen').
Sie versuchten, ein Geständnis von ihm zu erpressen.
They tried to force a confession out of him.
The structure is: someone (subject) 'erpresst' (blackmails/extorts) someone (accusative). The demand can be expressed with 'um' + accusative (money) or 'zu' + dative (action).
Der Täter erpresste den Manager um eine große Geldsumme.
The perpetrator extorted a large sum of money from the manager.
The means of blackmail is often introduced with the preposition 'mit' + dative.
Er hat sie mit der Veröffentlichung privater Nachrichten erpresst.
He blackmailed her with the publication of private messages.
The figurative meaning is used in the context of personal relationships. Here it is not about criminal acts, but about moral or emotional pressure used to manipulate someone.
Mit seinen ständigen Vorwürfen hat er sie emotional erpresst.
With his constant accusations, he emotionally blackmailed her.
to force
Both zwingen and erpressen can mean that someone does something against their will. erpressen is more specific, however: it usually involves a threat of violence or the disclosure of compromising information, often combined with a demand. zwingen also fits other kinds of pressure or authority without such a threat.
Der Täter erpresste den Politiker mit kompromittierenden Fotos und forderte Geld.
The perpetrator blackmailed the politician with compromising photos and demanded money.
Der Chef zwang ihn mit seiner Autorität, den Bericht noch am selben Tag fertigzustellen.
The boss used his authority to force him to finish the report that same day.
