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blackmail - The act of demanding money or favors from someone by threatening to reveal damaging information.

When he realized that they were blackmailing him, threatening to reveal secrets of his past, he was scared and didn't know what to do.

adjective

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insidious - Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

The effects of climate change are so insidious that they're not noticeable until polar bears have less ice to live on.

noun

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treachery - A violation of allegiance, faith, or confidence; an act of deliberate betrayal.

Shakespeare often describes how royalty is overthrown by acts of treachery.

verb

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scorch - To burn the surface of something with flame or heat

Nancy couldn't walk barefoot outside because the summer heat had scorched the pavement.

noun

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nemesis - A long-standing rival; an archenemy

As the leader of the Dark Side, Darth Vader was the evil nemesis of the heroic Luke Skywalker.

noun

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gangster - A member of a group of violent criminals

Dressed in a sharp suit and carrying a gun, he looked like a gangster on his way to commit a crime.

verb

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decimate - To kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of something.

The raging wildfire decimated the forest, leaving only a few trees standing.

verb

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retaliate - To attack in response to an attack.

Jill didn't like the way that John insulted her, so Jill retaliated by insulting John with an even greater insult.

verb

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annihilate - To totally destroy

The atom bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima annihilated the city.

noun

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blasphemy - Disrespectful or offensive speech or actions toward something considered sacred or religious.

To fans of the band, changing their iconic logo felt like pure blasphemy.

verb

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enslave - To control someone completely, limiting their freedom.

In history, millions of people were enslaved and denied basic human rights.

noun

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predator - An animal that naturally preys on others

In the jungle, hyenas were always at the mercy of predators like lions.