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

• fleecing
• gouging
• highway robbery
• 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

Indicators of an extortion scheme include a call from an outside area code, the caller attempting to keep you on the phone and ransom money only being accepted through wire transfers. —Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024

Ted Leonsis, like most modern day owners, is engaging in extortion to his own greedy ends. —Teo Armus, Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2023

Cyber insurance mitigates losses by covering costs related to data breaches, ransomware attacks, cyber extortion and more. —Jamie Akhtar, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Van der Sloot was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the U.S. for extortion and wire fraud. —Emma Colton, Fox News, 30 Oct. 2023

Kidnapping, extortion, the rape of women and children, and the torching of homes and neighborhoods became routine weapons of fear. —Seth Freed Wessler, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2023

Natalee Holloway's Mom Reveals How Joran van der Sloot Killed Her Daughter in 2005 (Exclusive) Van der Sloot, 36, was temporarily extradited to Alabama in June to face extortion and wire fraud charges in a case connected to Natalee’s 2005 disappearance. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023

Officials have expressed concern that this was an extortion kidnapping and that the kidnappers may attempt to take Luiz’s father to Venezuela. —Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 30 Oct. 2023

If Van der Sloot's 28-year prison sentence in Peru ends early, he'd be returned to the United States to complete the extortion and wire fraud convictions here, the judge said. —Juliette Arcodia, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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