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

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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 extortion Maher Assad was a former commander of the Syrian military’s 4th Armored Division - which Syrian opposition activists have accused of killings, torture, extortion and drug trafficking, in addition to running its own detention centers. — CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Maher Assad was a former commander of the Syrian military’s 4th Armored Division — which Syrian opposition activists have accused of killings, torture, extortion and drug trafficking, in addition to running its own detention centers. — FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Pressure on drug trafficking may push a group toward gold or extortion without destroying its finances. — Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026 In January 2025, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds and others, alleging defamation and extortion. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Aug. 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
  • Parents, educators and child development experts have been sounding alarms over children's use of AI chatbots, which have been blamed for facilitating cheating on schoolwork and even suicide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This has already resulted in rogue AI agents hacking, cheating, and even creating new viruses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 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
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Cite this Entry

“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extortion. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on extortion

Nglish: Translation of extortion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about extortion

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