extort

[ ik-stawrt ]

/ ɪkˈstɔrt /

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See synonyms for: extort / extorts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

Law.

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.
to take illegally by reason of one's office.

to compel (something) of a person or thing: Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.

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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

synonym study for extort

1. See extract.

OTHER WORDS FROM extort

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use extort in a sentence

Candia told the Blade the traffickers extorted around $10,000 from the brothers’ family.
Texas activists rally behind human trafficking victims|Michael K. Lavers|November 18, 2020|Washington Blade
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
He tried the effect of ridicule on the wretched and despairing Louis; and to one of his arguments, he at last extorted a reply.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
They were condemned on confessions of Islamism and paganism, extorted by the rack, and afterwards retracted.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
He repudiated his oath at Carlisle as extorted by force and intimidation, and professed a compelling sense of patriotism.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
By her confessionals she extorted from him the secrets of his life, and by her penances she punished him for his faults.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward
The Spaniards and Portuguese at first controlled the trade in tobacco, and extorted most fabulous prices for it.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for extort

extort

/ (ɪkˈstɔːt) /

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 forms of extort

extorter, 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

extort

Origin of extort

synonym study for extort

OTHER WORDS FROM extort

Words related to extort

How to use extort in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for extort

Derived forms of extort

Word Origin for extort