extortion

noun

ik-ˈstȯr-shən How to pronounce extortion (audio)
Definition of extortionnext
as in cheating
the exaction of a grossly excessive charge for goods or services six dollars for a cup of coffee is just plain extortion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 extortion The group built underground networks through assassinations, extortion, intimidation and infiltration before launching its offensive. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lively's publicist of defamation and extortion. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Baldoni accused Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, the couple's publicist, Leslie Sloane, and others of extortion and defamation, among other claims. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 Sangha said one case of extortion targeting a Sikh happened to a local restaurant owner in Madera. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for extortion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extortion
  1. cheating
  2. gouging
  3. highway robbery
  4. fleecing
  5. overcharging
Noun
  • One particular moment that stood out to me had nothing to do with cheating.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Many schools are focused on establishing clear guidelines for AI use while also limiting cellphone use during class to reduce distractions and cheating.
    — Ruyuan Li, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • Other advantages include the fact that ownership of compute may reduce dependency on price fluctuations and gouging.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • But the buildup to America’s first time hosting the World Cup since 1994 has been nonstop controversy, from exorbitant ticket cost and price-gouging for public transportation to our country’s far-right immigration policies scaring away many would-be visitors.
    — Greg Cote June 10, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Definition of gouging
Noun
  • In March 1829, he was convicted in London on two counts of highway robbery and sentenced to fourteen years.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Three games into his Colorado Rapids tenure, the club paying $125,000 in General Allocation Money — less than the going price of an international roster slot — is looking like highway robbery.
    — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of highway robbery
Noun
  • Thanks to its fleecing of New Orleans during last year’s draft, Atlanta gets either the Pelicans’ or the Bucks’ first-round pick — whichever winds up higher.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 6 May 2026
Definition of fleecing
Noun
  • Tourists should also be aware of overcharging and scams from aggressive vendors.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • Dish only had to agree to stop overcharging subscribers.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Definition of overcharging

Browse Nearby Words

extorting
extortion
extortionately
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extortion. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on extortion

Nglish: Translation of extortion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about extortion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nurture

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All