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
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Recent Examples of extortChiquita Brands said that it had been extorted by the paramilitary group and forced to make payments to protect its Colombian employees.—Maria Abi-Habib, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Jackson, whose prodigious feats as a Los Angeles Raiders running back and a Major League outfielder in the late 1980s and early ‘90s put him in the conversation as the best athlete, alleged that Thomas Lee Anderson and Erica M. Anderson harassed and tried to extort $20 million from him.—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Chamberlain told The Post in late October that police had not received any reports of tenants being extorted for rent.—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2025 As the final episode unravels, Kat figures out that Titus Monroe (Steve Pemberton) and his team create fake profiles on dating apps to lure victims to a remote farm, where they are extorted and even killed.—Yasmin Garaad, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for extort
Why Juicing Might Not Benefit the Microbiome The process of squeezing liquid from fruits and veggies, casting off its pulp, leaves one critical nutrient on the table (or, rather, in the blender): fiber.
—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
4 Feb. 2025
The guidance drops have stirred concerns among investors that EA can continue to squeeze growth from its tentpole FC soccer franchise in particular, which accounts for a big slice of its operating revenues.
—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Feb. 2025
And after Trump expressed openness to possible military force on Greenland or the Panama Canal, leaders may have more to wring their hands about, Bratt said.
—
Julia Mueller,
The Hill,
12 Jan. 2025
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate Budget Committee released a scathing 162-page report on two private equity firms' efforts to wring profits out of other hospital companies in underserved communities that put patients in danger.
Notably, in 2017, then-Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) successfully used the thin margins in the Senate to exact concessions and force lawmakers to include a bigger child tax credit.
—
Zach Halaschak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
But only months after being sworn in, the spoils system exacted its most horrifying toll.
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