Synonyms of extort

extort

verb

ik-ˈstȯrt 

as in to coerce

to get (as money) by the use of force or threats

a school bully who was used to extorting lunch money from weaker kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

• coerce
• squeeze
• wring
• exact
• wrest
• force
• gouge
• compel
• swindle
• milk
• bleed
• cheat
• skin
• fleece
• racketeer

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extort contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extort are educe, elicit, evoke, and extract. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Where would educe be a reasonable alternative to extort?

While the synonyms educe and extort are close in meaning, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

In what contexts can elicit take the place of extort?

In some situations, the words elicit and extort are roughly equivalent. However, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When is evoke a more appropriate choice than extort?

The synonyms evoke and extort are sometimes interchangeable, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

When could extract be used to replace extort?

The words extract and extort can be used in similar contexts, but extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of extort

Diddy allegedly extorted $20,000 from Cassie's mom during her daughter’s relationship with Kid Cudi On May 20, Ventura's mother Regina testified in Combs' trial, claiming that her family paid $20,000 to him out of concern for her daughter's safety. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 May 2025

Photo provided by Ryan Last's family Four men were charged last week in connection with a scheme to target and extort Stuart's son. —Scott MacFarlane 18, CBS News, 18 May 2025

Mexico City band Molotov decry state agents who extort the same communities that pay their salaries, and make a plea for power to be returned to the people. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

But when Arthur is released unharmed, rumors fly that the whole thing was a plot contrived by the son to extort money from his father. —Caroline Fraser june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025