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Blackmail vs Bribe - What's the difference?

blackmail | bribe |

As nouns the difference between blackmail and bribe

is that blackmail is (archaic) a certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing, anciently paid, in the north of england and south of scotland, to certain men who were allied to robbers, or moss troopers, to be by them protected from pillage while bribe is something (usually money) given in exchange for influence or as an inducement to dishonesty.

As verbs the difference between blackmail and bribe

is that blackmail is to extort money or favors from (a person) by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, such as injury to reputation, distress of mind, false accusation, etc; as, to blackmail a merchant by threatening to expose an alleged fraud while bribe is to give a to.

blackmail

Noun

(-)
  • (archaic) A certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing, anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to certain men who were allied to robbers, or moss troopers, to be by them protected from pillage.
  • Payment of money exacted by means of intimidation; also, extortion of money from a person by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure.
  • to levy blackmail
  • :: to extort money by threats, as of injury to one's reputation
  • (English law) Black rent, or rent paid in corn, meat, or the lowest coin, as opposed to white rent, which paid in silver.
  • Derived terms

    * emotional blackmail

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To extort money or favors from (a person) by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, such as injury to reputation, distress of mind, false accusation, etc.; as, to blackmail a merchant by threatening to expose an alleged fraud.
  • See also

    * extortion * protection racket ----

    bribe

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something (usually money) given in exchange for influence or as an inducement to dishonesty.
  • * Hobart
  • Undue reward for anything against justice is a bribe .
  • That which seduces; seduction; allurement.
  • * Akenside
  • Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these everblooming sweets.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

    (brib)
  • To give a to.
  • * F. W. Robertson
  • Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote against his conscience.
  • To gain by a bribe; to induce as by a bribe.
  • to bribe somebody's compliance