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 Neither Dutch authorities nor the FBI name the suspect, but Krebs on Security and Reuters report that police arrested Pepijn van der Stap, a Dutch man convicted for data theft and extortion in 2023. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 29 Sep. 2026 In a separate suit, Jay-Z initially sued Buzbee in 2024 in California, accusing Buzbee of extortion and defamation. — Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2026 Baldoni responded in January 2025 with his own countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, demanding $400 million in damages for alleged defamation, civil extortion, and breach of contract (which was also dismissed by a judge). — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 According to the police, the group operates in the departments of Magdalena — where Santa Marta is located — La Guajira, and Cesar, and has been implicated in crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 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
  • Manchester City, one of the most successful teams in the world in recent years, has been found guilty of systematically cheating – financially doping its way to dominance for the best part of a decade.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Practically everyone, regardless of political affiliation, must understand by now that there simply is no evidence of widespread — significant, meaningful — voter cheating in California or anywhere else in America.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • For Abbott and for Ken Paxton, who beat Cornyn in an eye-gouging, rabbit-punching Republican Senate primary, the answer was, for all intents, the latter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Other advantages include the fact that ownership of compute may reduce dependency on price fluctuations and gouging.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 27 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
  • That overcharging could prompt the system to shut down the car’s electric drive system and result in a loss of drive power.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Tourists should also be aware of overcharging and scams from aggressive vendors.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 15 July 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on extortion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about extortion

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