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
Manzo resigned from Congress in February 2024, ran as an independent mayoral candidate, and won in a state that had long allowed extortion against avocado and lime producers.
—
Bernardo De Jesus Saldana Tellez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
There are also reports of infighting among coalition members over extortion checkpoints.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation, has since been dismissed by a judge.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Shortly thereafter, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, claiming civil extortion, defamation, breach of contract, and invasion of privacy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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Bernardo De Jesus Saldana Tellez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
There are also reports of infighting among coalition members over extortion checkpoints.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation, has since been dismissed by a judge.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Shortly thereafter, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, claiming civil extortion, defamation, breach of contract, and invasion of privacy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 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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