extort
[ ik-stawrt ]
/ ɪkˈstɔrt /
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.
Words nearby extort
extirpation, extn., extol, extorsion, extorsive, extort, extortion, extortionary, extortionate, extortionist, extr.
Origin of extort
1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + torquēre to twist
SYNONYMS FOR extort
1 See extract.
OTHER WORDS FROM extort
ex·tort·er, nounex·tor·tive, adjectivenon·ex·tor·tive, adjectiveun·ex·tort·ed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for extorted
British Dictionary definitions for extorted
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, adjectiveWord 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