🇰🇷Korean Source WordCode: KO

정서적 협박

Pronunciation / Transliteration: jeong-seo-jeok hyeop-bak

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

"그녀는 정서적 협박에서 벗어나기로 결심했다."

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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