extort

ex·tort

verb \ik-ˈstȯrt\

Definition of EXTORT

transitive verb

: to obtain from a person by force, intimidation, or undue or illegal power : wring; also : to gain especially by ingenuity or compelling argument

— ex·tort·er noun

— ex·tor·tive \-ˈstȯr-tiv\ adjective

Examples of EXTORT

1. The criminals extorted large sums of money from their victims.
2. He was arrested for extorting bribes.

Origin of EXTORT

Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre to wrench out, extort, from ex- + torquēre to twist — more at torture

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to EXTORT

Synonyms: exact, wrest, wring

Related Words: bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze; cheat, gyp, racketeer, swindle; coerce, compel, force

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See Synonym Discussion at educe

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with EXTORT

abort, airport, amort, aport, assort, athwart, backcourt, bellwort, birthwort, bistort, blood sport, Bridgeport, carport, cavort, cohort, colewort, comport, consort, contort, crosscourt, deport, disport, distort, downcourt, effort, escort, exhort, export, fall short, figwort, forecourt, for short, free port, frontcourt, glasswort, Gosport, Gulfport, half-court, homeport, home port, in short, jetport, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, Newport, outport, passport, presort, purport, ragwort, report, re-sort, resort, retort, sandwort, seaport, sell short, Shreveport, spaceport, spearwort, spoilsport, Stockport, support, toothwort, transport