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

extortioner

ik-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

extortionist

ik-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms of extortion

• cheating
• gouging
• highway robbery
• fleecing
• overcharging

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

Baldoni accused Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, the couple's publicist, Leslie Sloane, and others of extortion and defamation, among other claims. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

Sangha said one case of extortion targeting a Sikh happened to a local restaurant owner in Madera. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Cottrell was indicted by US authorities in 2016 for conspiracy to commit money-laundering, wire fraud, blackmail and extortion. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

In an early instance of what authorities believe to have been an extortion attempt, federal prosecutors charged a California man with sending a fake ransom note via text message to Savannah Guthrie's family. — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for extortion

• abortion
• apportion
• contortion
• distortion
• proportion
• disproportion
• portion
• torsion

Kids Definition

extortion

noun

ex·​tor·​tion ik-ˈstȯr-shən 

: the practice or crime of extorting (as money)

extortioner

-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

extortionist

-sh(ə-)nəst 

noun

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

extortionate

-shə-nət 

adjective

extortioner noun

extortionist

-shə-nist 

noun