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

• cheating
• gouging
• overcharging
• highway robbery
• fleecing

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

That closeness, Peters said, makes Americans prime targets for extortion, kidnapping and terror. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025

Other times, the mob leaned on more traditional crime tactics — robbery, extortion and assault, including a punch to one victim’s face — to force the card players to pay. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025

In 1988, Scarfo was convicted on charges of murder, extortion, and other crimes alongside more than a dozen associates. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025

Crypto crimes once contained to online harassment now often include kidnapping, extortion, and armed threats. —Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025

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