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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extort He should have been arrested right then and there for the FBI for trying to extort Natalie's mother. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025 Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, then alleged in a legal filing that Lively was attempting to extort a statement of support from Swift. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025 Lane then allegedly extorted the companies for ransoms. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025 In addition, the hackers even tried to extort Coinbase itself, demanding a $20 million payment from the cryptocurrency company to cover up the incident. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for extort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extort
Verb
  • In some cases, governments even coerce companies into accepting artificially low prices by threatening to violate their patents and allow other manufacturers to produce copycat drugs.
    Rosa Mendoza, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025
  • Geragos has tried to portray Jane as a willing participant in encounters with male escorts and entertainers while Diddy watched, to undermine prosecution claims that she was coerced and trafficked.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Despite remaining hugely cash-generative at the operating level, outgoings on player transfers, loan interest and the £50million investment at the Carrington training ground have squeezed their ability to spend quite so readily as in the past.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Team-building is not about squeezing sufficient value out of every single contract or assembling a roster of yes men.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • But Smart, with her mischievous glint and bone-dry delivery, manages to wring laughs from even the most groan-worthy one-liners.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • Once steeped, the bag can be wrung out of liquid, and the remaining compost matter within the bag can be added to the garden.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Founded in 1902 and one of the oldest brands in the world, Cadillac was also the first car built to exacting standards of fit that allowed parts to be easily interchanged or replaced.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 18 June 2025
  • The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating.
    Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Rumors suggested that the czar’s extended family, perhaps Paul or the dowager empress, would wrest power from Nicholas.
    Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
  • Kennedy’s next move appears to be wresting control of health and science research altogether.
    Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extort. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extort

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