extorted

past tense of extort
as in exacted
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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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 extorted Diplomats told investigators that some foreign nationals were extorted as much as $10,000 to avoid arrest at checkpoints. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025 His fortune also faced some hits as he was allegedly extorted. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 The neo-noir thriller, which is an adaptation of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, follows David King (Washington), a successful music executive who gets extorted by an up-and-coming rapper (A$AP Rocky). Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extorted
Verb
  • Add to that the toll AIDs, the crack epidemic, and violent crime had exacted on American cities and the context of the crackdown becomes more clear.
    Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
  • The Royals exacted their own measure of revenge against their arch nemesis.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Stefon Flowers coerced at least four women into prostitution for his financial gain over the course of three months in 2023, according to a news release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The word describes what happens when electrons are coerced to spin in tandem, as opposed to spinning in opposite directions, which is the default state of most electrons most of the time.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some people who have bought homes in the last few years feel squeezed by monthly payments that leave little cash left over.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Thomas turned around and squeezed DeChambeau’s leg with anxiety, his face in a nervous grimace.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Others wrung riches from the network; Berners-Lee assumed the mantle of moral authority, fighting to safeguard the web’s openness and promote equitable access.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • But after logging three and half miles through Miami one sweltering evening this week, members wrung out sweaty shirts, chugged ice water and welcomed a soaking rain shower at the finish line.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • No existing rival has wrested market share from Google.
    Julia Shapero, The Hill, 2 Sep. 2025
  • In 1968, Palestinians resurrected an independence movement that wrested decision making away from Egypt and other Arab countries that had been humiliated in the Six-Day War.
    Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Jacksonville forced San Francisco to turn the ball over four times.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The veteran guard has joined a new team in August in three of the last four seasons and after training camp in the fourth, she was forced to adapt to a different set of teammates and plays in a hurry.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He was emboldened by the Netflix doc to make another Herschel Walker trade and got fleeced!
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • All the trucks that Buck Strickland buys his investors in episode 10 are from Bronco Barry’s car dealership, which fleeced Bobby into buying a horse a few episodes earlier.
    Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extorted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extorted. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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