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He was blackmailed into paying a large sum so that the photos would not be published.
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
'zwingen' and 'erpressen' both mean that someone is supposed to do something under strong pressure. 'zwingen' is more general: someone is made to do something against their will through pressure, power, or authority. 'erpressen' is more specific and stronger. In this case, someone threatens violence, serious consequences, or the publication of information in order to get money or a certain behavior. It can also be meant emotionally. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases there is no free decision. As a guide: every act of 'erpressen' is a kind of coercion, but not every act of 'zwingen' is 'erpressen'.
Der Täter erpresst den Ladenbesitzer und verlangt Geld.
The perpetrator is extorting the shop owner and demanding money.
Der Chef darf niemanden zwingen, am Wochenende ohne Vertrag zu arbeiten.
The boss is not allowed to force anyone to work on the weekend without a contract.