as in squeezing
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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Recent Examples of extorting
The official reports into that incident show that Epstein initially told prison officials that his cellmate had tried to kill him after extorting him for money.
—
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
There had been tension between Bo Nagar’s force and the local PDF units since last year over his BNRA fighters allegedly extorting money at road checkpoints.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Hayley — who turns out to be a hooker who does secretarial admin on the side and not an executive assistant who occasionally threesomes — is extorting him for $750,000.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
The traveler confessed to extorting others to commit self-harm, the memo said.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Bandit gangs control entire districts, extorting protection money from communities in cash or kind, killing those that resist.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Instead of extorting money to decrypt data in a company’s own system, an attacker can just threaten to release sensitive data if the ransom isn’t paid.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
After a relative suffered an accident, the cops who responded ended up extorting money from him, Ramírez said.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
The couple allegedly asked customers’ family members to send original passports to them and then frequently refused to return the passports unless customers paid hundreds of dollars more, effectively extorting them, Ellison’s office said.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
There had been tension between Bo Nagar’s force and the local PDF units since last year over his BNRA fighters allegedly extorting money at road checkpoints.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Hayley — who turns out to be a hooker who does secretarial admin on the side and not an executive assistant who occasionally threesomes — is extorting him for $750,000.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
The traveler confessed to extorting others to commit self-harm, the memo said.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Bandit gangs control entire districts, extorting protection money from communities in cash or kind, killing those that resist.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Instead of extorting money to decrypt data in a company’s own system, an attacker can just threaten to release sensitive data if the ransom isn’t paid.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
After a relative suffered an accident, the cops who responded ended up extorting money from him, Ramírez said.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
The couple allegedly asked customers’ family members to send original passports to them and then frequently refused to return the passports unless customers paid hundreds of dollars more, effectively extorting them, Ellison’s office said.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extorting
Verb
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Not just reserved for jack-o-lanterns and lattes, pumpkin, more specifically, the oil that comes from roasting, grinding, and squeezing the seeds, is trending as an ingredient that can be beneficial for your scalp and hair.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
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Top with basil leaves and serve with cooked rice on the side and lime wedges for squeezing over.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meyers is also accused of coercing the 15-year-old into recording the high school’s wrestling team, the complaint alleges.—
Brittany Kubicko,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
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Guevara and two colleagues, Mason and then-Detective Ernest Halvorson, orchestrated a frame-up by coercing one witness to identify Rios by beating him with a phone book and flashlight, and another by threatening to charge him with obstruction, according to the plaintiffs’ allegations.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within, the interior has been brought back in line with Judd’s exacting standards furnished with his rigid plywood and metal pieces that are themselves works of sculpture.—
Mark Lamster,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Meticulous and never ostentatious, his work displays refined elegance, luxurious detailing, exacting craftsmanship, historical references, and a sumptuous materiality.—
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That is what Emma is doing in this scene by talking to Mark, looking at the floor demurely, and wringing her hands precisely three (3) times.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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But the response should not be hand-wringing or name-calling.—
Reardon Sullivan,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This has raised the cost of materials for jewelry brands, forcing many to increase prices.—
Andrea Bossi,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
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Internal pressure within Cuba, including fuel shortages and economic instability, could also play a role in forcing reforms.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Companies bracing for higher energy costs are already wresting with tariffs, inflation and bigger labor costs.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Trotsky hurled items from the desk at Mercader before wresting the ice pick from his grip.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extorting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extorting. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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