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
Alite faces multiple counts of extortion, corporate misconduct, loansharking and terroristic threats.
—
ABC News, 22 June 2026
Many left Colombia because of insecurity, extortion, violence or political instability.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026
Councilman John Alite, 63, of Englishtown, was arrested on Friday and charged with multiple counts of theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, usury and terroristic threats, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's office.
—Ronn Blitzer , Tessa Hoyos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
John Alite, 63, a councilman in Englishtown, NJ, was charged Friday with multiple counts of extortion, corporate misconduct and other charges, New Jersey's Attorney General said in a news release.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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ABC News, 22 June 2026
Many left Colombia because of insecurity, extortion, violence or political instability.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026
Councilman John Alite, 63, of Englishtown, was arrested on Friday and charged with multiple counts of theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, usury and terroristic threats, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's office.
—Ronn Blitzer , Tessa Hoyos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
John Alite, 63, a councilman in Englishtown, NJ, was charged Friday with multiple counts of extortion, corporate misconduct and other charges, New Jersey's Attorney General said in a news release.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 20 June 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 23 Jun. 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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