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
Baldoni then filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds, claiming defamation and extortion.
—
Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 14 May 2025
The twin sister of Captain Hastings wife, Dulcie, has been kidnapped — and Hercule Poirot rightly expects not only extortion to follow, but murder.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
The charges of conspiracy to falsify records, conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion, honest services mail fraud, and falsification of records can lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 May 2025
The ransomware threat is evolving, and attackers are continually seeking new angles and technologies to exploit, to aid with leveraging payments in these modern-day extortion schemes.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 14 May 2025
The twin sister of Captain Hastings wife, Dulcie, has been kidnapped — and Hercule Poirot rightly expects not only extortion to follow, but murder.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
The charges of conspiracy to falsify records, conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion, honest services mail fraud, and falsification of records can lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 May 2025
The ransomware threat is evolving, and attackers are continually seeking new angles and technologies to exploit, to aid with leveraging payments in these modern-day extortion schemes.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
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 May. 2025.
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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