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

Alite faces multiple counts of extortion, corporate misconduct, loansharking and terroristic threats. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

Peruvians voted in favor of Fujimori amid a surge in violent crime, extortion and years of political instability. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Those caught in the violence include not just those directly involved in the drug wars against the government and rival groups, but also the victims of robberies, extortion, activists, and environmental defenders. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Cutaia, who was indicted on the extortion charges in 2024, has since pleaded guilty, and is expected to be sentenced on Tuesday in Brooklyn Federal Court. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 June 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