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 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 Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said on social media that suspending the inspections of avocados is a temporary measure meant to protect workers after recent arrests linked to extortion, per The Associated Press. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 And if the avocados aren’t moving, criminals can’t collect their extortion payments. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 The halt follows years of cartel violence and extortion in the avocado belt. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
  • This has already resulted in rogue AI agents hacking, cheating, and even creating new viruses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, Anthropic found that if a model is allowed to cheat during training, the cheating becomes a habit.
    — Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 9 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 17 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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