extortionate

adjective

ex·​tor·​tion·​ate ik-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nət 

1

: characterized by extortion

2

: excessive, exorbitant

extortionate prices

extortionately adverb

Examples of extortionate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In sum, tech companies build a walled garden, lock you in, throw away the key, let the plants die, and then charge you an extortionate rent to live among the rotting remains. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

For a while, Madison Thompson, 30, toyed with the idea of getting a new couch but didn’t want to spend an extortionate amount. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

Taxi drivers flocked to the crossing, offering rides to those on foot – some asking for extortionate amounts of money for a transfer to Beirut or Damascus. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024

On top of all that, the first half of 2024 was rife with political tension related to this year’s elections—and not to mention that Olympic ticket prices were extortionate. — Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for extortionate

• proportionate
• disproportionate

Kids Definition

extortionate

adjective

ex·​tor·​tion·​ate ik-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nət 

1

: marked by extortion

2

: extremely high : exorbitant

extortionate prices

extortionately adverb