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 Family fled Honduras to escape gang extortion, court records show Federal court records show Baquedano-Amador applied for asylum after arriving in the U.S., saying that she was robbed and extorted by gang members after her husband left Honduras in 2011. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Some inmates roamed freely, refused to follow staff orders and extorted fellow prisoners. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for extort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extort
Verb
  • The attention influencers and celebrities generate fuels this model, but rest assured, checks and balances coerce cooperation.
    Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
  • If Messi and teammate Jordi Alba skip the event and avoid immediate sanctions, as early reporting from ESPN suggests, what is to coerce Kylian Mbappe 10 years or Lamine Yamal 20 years from now in the twilight of their careers?
    Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Capitalism, which generously expanded classical recording, could abruptly squeeze it, even destroy it.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
  • In particular, the price of rice has doubled, squeezing many household budgets despite government handouts.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • But helping with the dishes could naturally have kids wringing out sponges and emptying glasses into the sink, no special setup required.
    Christine Carrig, The Atlantic, 21 July 2025
  • Despite this, Audi’s been able to wring more power out of the mill.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • But restricting kids from encountering tricky movement problems, such as racing at full speed down a rocky slope or climbing high in a tree, can exact a toll.
    Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
  • Based on Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Nautilus follows Nemo’s mission to exact revenge on the East India Mercantile Company, and goes on a raucous adventure beneath the sea in the process.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Cornyn's challenge will be to wrest significant numbers of those voters back to his side.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Set in the tumultuous early twenty-tens, as Brazil prepared for the World Cup and the Olympics, the novel tracks how Rocinha changes as military police push into the neighborhood, attempting to wrest control from powerful local gangs.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extort. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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