extort
[ik-stawrt]
- 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
1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + torquēre to twist
Synonyms
1. See extract.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
extractwrestexactcoerceelicitwringgougeforcesoakfleecegetpinchskinmilkobtainiceeduceevincestickwrenchExamples from the Web for extorted
Contemporary Examples
Since 2005, Somali pirates have kidnapped hundreds of people—and extorted hundreds of millions of dollars in ransom payments.
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 SputteredRobert Shrum
October 17, 2012
And it left some Democrats feeling like they had been extorted and wondering what the next demand might be.
A leading candidate to be commander in chief putting himself in an easy position to be extorted.
Historical Examples
At the rehearsals not a word could be extorted from the Angel Raphael.
My Double LifeSarah 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 LutherMartin Luther
A cargo of produce for the schooner perhaps could be extorted—and, who knows?
Lord JimJoseph Conrad
It was rather admiration she extorted by her competent serenity.
'Twixt Land & SeaJoseph Conrad
Mrs. Travers extorted from d'Alcacer a fresh tribute of curiosity.
The RescueJoseph Conrad
extort
- 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)
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for extorted
extort
v.
1520s (as a past participle adj. from early 15c.), from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquere (see extortion). Related: Extorted; extorting.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper