extortion

noun

ex·​tor·​tion ik-ˈstȯr-shən How to pronounce extortion (audio)
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
especially : the offense committed by an official engaging in such practice
2
: something extorted
especially : a gross overcharge
extortioner noun
extortionist noun

Examples of extortion in a Sentence

He was arrested and charged with extortion. six dollars for a cup of coffee is just plain extortion
Recent Examples on the Web That description fits the scam Shawn Thompson ran on a Miami woman, an extortion that got Thompson excoriated by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Barket in a December summary judgment. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Former members accuse the organization of psychological manipulation, financial extortion and inducing gender dysphoria under the guise of religion and finding love. Detroit Free Press, 15 Feb. 2024 Police said that the overnight interrogation was arranged with Lee’s consent in order to make enough time for questions related to the drug case as well as his extortion case. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Once nude images have been traded, that’s when the extortion starts, Gallas said. The Arizona Republic, 19 Jan. 2024 Bodybuilders at the gym used their brawn as part of a mob ring involving drugs, murder-for-hire, extortion, and selling protection, police say. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 Previous ransomware groups have reformed as new brands and continued their hacking and extortion. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 20 Feb. 2024 Organized crime—powered by not just drug trafficking but also trafficking in migrants, kidnapping, and extortion—threatens the region’s fragile democratic development and terrorizes populations. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The Global Organized Crime Index highlights Mexico as the worst country in the world for extortion, a crime that mainly affects local small and medium businesses, rather than large foreign companies. Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extortion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extortion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near extortion

Cite this Entry

“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extortion

noun
ex·​tor·​tion ik-ˈstȯr-shən How to pronounce extortion (audio)
: the practice or crime of extorting (as money)
extortioner noun
extortionist noun

Legal Definition

extortion

noun
ex·​tor·​tion ik-ˈstȯr-shən How to pronounce extortion (audio)
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
specifically : the act or practice of extorting by a public official acting under color of office
2
: the crime of extorting
extortionate adjective
extortioner noun
extortionist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on extortion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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