extortion

[ik-stawr-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of extorting.

   Synonyms: blackmail

2. Law.,  the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.

3. oppressive or illegal exaction, as of excessive price or interest.

   the extortions of usurers.

4. anything extorted.

   Synonyms: blackmail

Other Word Forms

• nonextortion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extortion¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extorcion, from Late Latin extortiōn-, stem of extortiō, literally, “a twisting away,” from extort(us) + -iō noun suffix; extort, -ion

Example Sentences

Maldonado’s lawyer said there wasn’t proof to support extortion and kidnapping charges but didn’t elaborate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In addition to drug trafficking, they also expanded into illegal gold mining, extortion and other crimes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The nation is plagued by gang violence, drug trafficking and extortion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A sharp increase in murders, kidnappings and extortion over the past decade has sown terror in Chile, one of Latin America's safest nations.

Read more on Barron's

He is considered to be the most powerful dissident rebel leader in Colombia, whose group engages in illegal mining and extortion as well as drug trafficking.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• coercion 
• fraud 
• shakedown 
• theft 

When To Use

What does extortion mean?

Extortion is the act of extorting—using violence, threats, intimidation, or pressure from one’s authority to force someone to hand over money (or something else of value) or do something they don’t want to do.The verb extort is commonly used in this literal way, but it can also be used in a more general or figurative way meaning to overcharge for something or to obtain through relentless and unreasonable demands. These senses liken such actions to the actual crime of extortion, as in The way they raise tuition every semester is extortion, if you ask me.A person who engages in extortion can be called an extortionist or an extortioner. Such actions can be described as extortionary.Example: The mob regularly uses extortion to squeeze money out of small business owners through intimidation.