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

Elijah’s parents have reached out to their local representatives to ask for help in fighting sextortion. —Kc Baker, People.com, 9 June 2025

Those barriers are designed to help reduce sextortion, Thorn said. —Nicole Valdes, CBS News, 31 May 2025

So this story is a continuation of our reporting on financial sextortion, one of the fastest growing crimes in the country that especially targets teenage boys age 13 to 17. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

Stuart's son, Ryan Last, died by suicide hours after a sextortion scheme was threatened against him in 2022. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 15 June 2025

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