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 denied the claims and filed a lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, 48, accusing the couple of extortion and defamation.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
The gang has been nvolved in indiscriminate civilian killings, extortion, illicit taxation and kidnappings, Treasury said.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
The Integris Health case, for example, resulted in a $30 million payout to more than two million patients impacted by both the data breach and later extortion from the cybercriminal responsible.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
However, the family was confronted with extortion and exploitation at the gravesite.
—NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
The gang has been nvolved in indiscriminate civilian killings, extortion, illicit taxation and kidnappings, Treasury said.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
The Integris Health case, for example, resulted in a $30 million payout to more than two million patients impacted by both the data breach and later extortion from the cybercriminal responsible.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
However, the family was confronted with extortion and exploitation at the gravesite.
—NPR, 15 Oct. 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 Oct. 2025.
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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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