extortion
Americannoun
Usage
What does extortion mean? Extortion is the act of extorting—using 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. The verb extort is commonly used in this literal way, but it can also be used in a more general or figurative way meaning to overcharge for something or to obtain through relentless and unreasonable demands. These senses liken such actions to the actual crime of extortion, as in The way they raise tuition every semester is extortion, if you ask me. A person who engages in extortion can be called an extortionist or an extortioner. Such actions can be described as extortionary. Example: The mob regularly uses extortion to squeeze money out of small business owners through intimidation.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of extortion
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extorcion, from Late Latin extortiōn-, stem of extortiō, literally, “a twisting away,” from extort(us) + -iō noun suffix; see extort, -ion
Explanation
Extortion means forcing someone into giving you something through threats. A bully who tells kids he'll beat them up if they don't give him their lunch money is guilty of extortion. Because extortion is a crime — mobsters are often charged with it — the word has a strict, legal meaning. It's the act of using threats or force to obtain something from someone. But the word is used in a general context as well. As you sell $5 boxes of M&Ms door-to-door to pay for your band trip to Florida, cranky neighbors may complain, "At this price, it's extortion!" — meaning they feel you're forcing them to give you their money.
Vocabulary lists containing extortion
Twists and Turns: Tor
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Vocabulary: A Rapper's Delight!
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The Book of Unknown Americans
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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.
“The era of bullying and extortion is over,” wrote Mohammad Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
"The extortion is too much. Shops are closing because people can't survive like this," said Sandra Gutierrez, a 60-year-old Colombian voter.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
Toño's case was one of nearly 30,000 extortion incidents reported in Peru in 2025, many targeting small businesses or transport workers.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
The initial litigation stemmed from allegations that Johnson was “running a fraud and extortion scheme” where he claimed to be a U.S. intelligence agent.
From Slate ● May 28, 2026
Colonel Korn was the lawyer, and if Colonel Korn assured him that fraud, extortion, currency manipulation, embezzlement, income tax evasion and black-market speculations were legal, Colonel Cathcart was in no position to disagree with him.
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.
