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

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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 The network has experienced controversy over the years, including FCC investigations, criticism for broadcasting in Israel and Marcus Lamb infamously admitting to an affair on air in 2010 amid extortion claims. Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 8 May 2026 Connolly said the later date indicates that discussions regarding extortion payments may be ongoing. CBS News, 8 May 2026 Connolly said the later date indicates that discussions regarding extortion payments may be ongoing. ABC News, 7 May 2026 Over the weekend, Instructure was hacked by ShinyHunters, a criminal extortion group that’s also been linked to data breaches at three Ivy League institutions in late 2025. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for extortion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extortion
Noun
  • Widespread cheating must be stopped.
    Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Since there have been classrooms, there’s been student cheating.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Noun
  • What Raiff has seen is price-gouging at private airports and terminals.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 May 2026
  • For its part, CF is clearly sensitive to the inevitable accusations of price-gouging.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • This was a dangerous situation and was literally highway robbery.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2025
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
Noun
  • Corporations have gotten away with overcharging consumers for far too long, but wages have stayed the same.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • Hospital CEOs came under fire at a House hearing Tuesday, with Republicans accusing them of overcharging patients and exploiting the system.
    Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extortion. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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