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
Members of the group allegedly conduct coordinated extortions of teens by blackmailing them.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Despite that, the armed groups have continued to wreak havoc, collecting millions of dollars in extortion fees from toll roads and their control of strategic corridors leading to the country’s seaports and land border with the neighboring Dominican Republic.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Officers arrested Alexander Schecter, 26, at his Santa Monica residence on Friday and booked him on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery, police said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
This government union extortion exercise needs to stop now.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Despite that, the armed groups have continued to wreak havoc, collecting millions of dollars in extortion fees from toll roads and their control of strategic corridors leading to the country’s seaports and land border with the neighboring Dominican Republic.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Officers arrested Alexander Schecter, 26, at his Santa Monica residence on Friday and booked him on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery, police said.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
This government union extortion exercise needs to stop now.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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