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
Etymology
Origin of extort
First recorded in 1525–1500; from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + torquēre “to twist”; see tort ( def. )
Explanation
To extort is to use information or the threat of violence to acquire cash or something else. Extortion is a classic shakedown, a gouge, a squeeze. Usually it's money someone is after if they're going to extort you for it. Threats of violence and blackmail are probably the two most popular ways to extort a person. It's illegal but surprisingly common. Watch siblings play — older brothers serve no time for extortion.
Vocabulary lists containing extort
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
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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.
This means the agency will no longer extort defendants into silence.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Dr. Tidmarsh stepped down after former business partner Kevin Tang accused him of using his regulatory authority to extort him.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
A spokesperson for Discord told the BBC that those claims are inaccurate and "part of an attempt to extort payment".
From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025
“I’ve never let anyone on the streets extort me, so how would I ever let a crooked attorney and coward ex-hype man extort me?? I’m from the Bronx!” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025
He was a proud and independent man who was opposed to unemployment insurance and never hesitated to whine, whimper, wheedle, and extort for as much as he could get from whomever he could.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
