extortion
noun
ex·tor·tion
ik-ˈstȯr-shən 
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
especially
: the offense committed by an official engaging in such practice
2
: something extorted
especially
: a gross overcharge
Examples of extortion in a Sentence
He was arrested and charged with extortion.
six dollars for a cup of coffee is just plain extortion
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2025 the Defense Ministry registered 12,180 cases of extortion, a 12% decrease from the previous year.
—
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The Richards Bay Minerals’ Zulti South project has been halted for six years because of violent unrest including protests and extortion attempts, but the mining giant said relations with the local community and the security situation had now improved.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
The 22-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury came after a yearslong federal investigation and alleged Madigan participated in an array of bribery and extortion schemes from 2011 to 2019 aimed at using the power of his office for personal gain.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
When the doilies go missing, Pandico demands payment, which Tortora believes to be extortion after Pandico is revealed to him to be a member of the New Organized Camorra.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The Richards Bay Minerals’ Zulti South project has been halted for six years because of violent unrest including protests and extortion attempts, but the mining giant said relations with the local community and the security situation had now improved.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
The 22-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury came after a yearslong federal investigation and alleged Madigan participated in an array of bribery and extortion schemes from 2011 to 2019 aimed at using the power of his office for personal gain.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
When the doilies go missing, Pandico demands payment, which Tortora believes to be extortion after Pandico is revealed to him to be a member of the New Organized Camorra.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
extortion
noun
ex·tor·tion
ik-ˈstȯr-shən
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
specifically
: the act or practice of extorting by a public official acting under color of office
2
: the crime of extorting
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