🇮🇹Italian Source WordCode: IT

ricatto emotivo

Pronunciation / Transliteration: riˈkat.to e.moˈti.vo

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Emotional blackmail/ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən.əl ˈblækˌmeɪl/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15400 frequency
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🇮🇹 Example Sentence in Italian:

"Il ricatto emotivo rovina le relazioni interpersonali."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A powerful form of manipulation in which people close to us threaten, directly or indirectly, to punish us if we do not yield to their desires.

    "He used emotional blackmail to make her feel guilty for wanting to spend time with her friends."
  2. 2

    The psychological pressure applied by exploiting someone's vulnerabilities, empathy, or sense of obligation.

    "Recognizing patterns of emotional blackmail is essential for establishing healthy personal boundaries."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the combination of 'emotional' (from Late Latin 'emotio', meaning a moving, stirring, or agitation) and 'blackmail' (originally denoting tribute paid to Scottish border raiders for protection, from Middle English 'mail', meaning rent or tax). The specific psychological compound popularized in the late 20th century refers to powerful manipulation using fear, obligation, and guilt.

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