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
The greater media pressure when the victim is a foreigner creates more incentive for the police and prosecutors to investigate a kidnapping, extortion, disappearance, or homicide.
—
Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Edward Escalante, 49, Edward Alvarenga, 27, Felipe De Los Angeles, 51, and Gonzalez are also charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion (Hobbs Act), the DOJ said.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Gonzalez directed drug trafficking, violence and other criminal activities within 18th Street territory, including extortion and mediating gang disputes, according to the indictment.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This is in response to Cadet’s guilty plea to one count of extortion conspiracy, for which she was sentenced in October 2022 in Fort Lauderdale federal court to time served and three years of supervised release.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Edward Escalante, 49, Edward Alvarenga, 27, Felipe De Los Angeles, 51, and Gonzalez are also charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion (Hobbs Act), the DOJ said.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Gonzalez directed drug trafficking, violence and other criminal activities within 18th Street territory, including extortion and mediating gang disputes, according to the indictment.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This is in response to Cadet’s guilty plea to one count of extortion conspiracy, for which she was sentenced in October 2022 in Fort Lauderdale federal court to time served and three years of supervised release.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 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 13 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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