extort
Americanverb (used with object)
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Law.
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to wrest or wring (money, information, etc.) from a person by violence, intimidation, or abuse of authority; obtain by force, torture, threat, or the like.
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to take illegally by reason of one's office.
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to compel (something) of a person or thing.
Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.
verb
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to secure (money, favours, etc) by intimidation, violence, or the misuse of influence or authority
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to obtain by importunate demands
the children extorted a promise of a trip to the zoo
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to overcharge for (something, esp interest on a loan)
Usage
What does extort mean? Extort means to use 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. Extort is commonly used in this literal way, but it can also be used in a few more general or figurative ways. It can mean to overcharge someone for something, as in If you ask me, the textbooks companies are extorting us by coming out with new editions every year. It can also mean to obtain through relentless and unreasonable demands, as in The kids are good at extorting treats from their grandparents just by constantly asking. These senses liken such actions to the actual crime of extortion. More generally, the word extortion refers to the act of extorting. Such actions can be described as extortionary. A person who engages in extortion can be called an extortionist or an extortioner. Example: The mob regularly extorts money from small business owners through intimidation.
Related Words
See extract.
Other Word Forms
- extorter noun
- extortive adjective
- nonextortive adjective
- unextorted adjective
Etymology
Origin of extort
First recorded in 1525–1500; from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + torquēre “to twist”; tort ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There in Africa, smugglers link up with al Qaeda-affiliated groups that escort the cargoes north and extort payments from the overland convoys, said current and former rebel leaders in northern Mali.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025
The email from Galda “transparently reflects an attempt to extort and solicit a bribe,” the complaint alleged.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
Jackson’s lawyers issued this statement after that hearing: “Unfortunately for those attempting to extort $20 million from Jackson and his family, Bo still hits back hard.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025
Amit Deshpande, founder of Mumbai-based men's rights organisation Vaastav Foundation, says the law is being used "mostly to extort men" and that "there are thousands of others who are suffering like Subhash".
From BBC • Dec. 22, 2024
He could always extort a day or two in class from them with the free weekly pizza.
From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
