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

Somalis face armed roadblocks in many areas, where terrorists or government troops extort money, and lawlessness and corruption occur on a daily basis. —Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025

An Orange County Civil Court wants Thompson to fill out an information sheet about his personal finances after last December’s $60,150 judgment in a lawsuit filed by Scott Meyer, who was extorted by Thompson’s Moving Giants. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Everyone who came to Tawila from El Fasher would have been at risk of confrontations with armed individuals who intercept migrants and often extort them for money or cause harm. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Nov. 2025

The organization claims truckers are commonly extorted by police at the stops. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025