sextortion

noun

sex·​tor·​tion ˌsek-ˈstȯr-shən 

: extortion in which a perpetrator threatens to expose sexually compromising information (such as sexually explicit private images or videos of the victim) unless the victim meets certain demands

Sextortion is when an online predator tricks someone into giving them nude images or videos, and then demands money, more images, or makes other demands—threatening to share the images with the victim's friends and family if they don't comply.

—bradfordtoday.ca

Sextortion is a crime that is now sweeping the web, from organized criminal groups operating overseas to cyber-bullies at the local high school.

—The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)

Two male high school students in an Allegan County school district were recent victims of sextortion—a form of online sexual exploitation that typically occurs against kids ages 10-17.

—Sherri Kolade

Deling used text messages and social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik and Skype, in the sextortion scheme against girls between the ages of 11 and 17, prosecutors say.

—Chacour Koop

Examples of sextortion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to romance or sextortion scams, military members are often the target of rental housing scams and phishing scams, particularly those impersonating government agencies. — Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 9 June 2026

The massive sextortion scheme lasted seven years until his arrest in March of 2021, prosecutors said. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

The jury also heard testimony from local public school educators who struggled with disruptions linked to social media, including sextortion schemes targeting children. — Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026

The outreach specialist would work across different agencies and communities to spread awareness of what sextortion is and how to address it. — Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

blend of sex entry 1 and extortion

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sextortion

• abortion
• apportion
• contortion
• distortion
• extortion
• proportion
• disproportion
• portion
• torsion