extort

[ik-stawrt]

verb (used with object)

Law.
1. 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.
2. to take illegally by reason of one's office.
to compel (something) of a person or thing: Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.

Origin of extort

1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + torquēre to twist

Related formsex·tort·er, nounex·tor·tive, adjectivenon·ex·tor·tive, adjectiveun·ex·tort·ed, adjective

Synonyms for extort

1. See extract.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for extorted

extract, wrest, exact, coerce, elicit, wring, gouge, force, soak, fleece, get, pinch, skin, milk, obtain, ice, educe, evince, stick, wrench

Examples from the Web for extorted

Contemporary Examples of extorted

Since 2005, Somali pirates have kidnapped hundreds of people—and extorted hundreds of millions of dollars in ransom payments.
Fake Somali Pirates Scam Western Journalists
Jamal Osman
April 3, 2013
Romney got the blame for trying, but none of the gains he extorted from the hapless Jim Lehrer.
Robert Shrum: Obama Had Everything On the Line and Delivered, While Romney Sputtered
Robert Shrum
October 17, 2012
And it left some Democrats feeling like they had been extorted and wondering what the next demand might be.
The Tea Party’s Debt Triumph
Eleanor Clift
August 1, 2011
A leading candidate to be commander in chief putting himself in an easy position to be extorted.
Edwards Sex Tape Details
Diane Dimond
March 15, 2010

Historical Examples of extorted

At the rehearsals not a word could be extorted from the Angel Raphael.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
I extorted and oppressed as long as I was able; while ye have power, get what you can.
Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
A cargo of produce for the schooner perhaps could be extorted—and, who knows?
Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
It was rather admiration she extorted by her competent serenity.
'Twixt Land & Sea
Joseph Conrad
Mrs. Travers extorted from d'Alcacer a fresh tribute of curiosity.
The Rescue
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for extorted

extort

verb (tr)

to secure (money, favours, etc) by intimidation, violence, or the misuse of influence or authority
to obtain by importunate demandsthe children extorted a promise of a trip to the zoo
to overcharge for (something, esp interest on a loan)

Derived Formsextorter, nounextortive, adjective

Word Origin for extort

C16: from Latin extortus wrenched out, from extorquēre to wrest away, from torquēre to twist, wrench

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for extorted

extort

1520s (as a past participle adj. from early 15c.), from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquere (see extortion). Related: Extorted; extorting.