extortion

[ik-stawr-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of extorting.

   Synonyms: blackmail

2. Law.,  the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.

3. oppressive or illegal exaction, as of excessive price or interest.

   the extortions of usurers.

4. anything extorted.

   Synonyms: blackmail

Other Word Forms

• nonextortion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extortion¹

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; extort, -ion

Example Sentences

The vast majority of attacks are financially motivated with criminal gangs using ransomware or data extortion to blackmail a victim into sending Bitcoins in ransom.

Read more on BBC

AFP understands the third-party involved is software firm Salesforce, which said last week that it was "aware of recent extortion attempts by threat actors".

Read more on Barron's

The letter includes a request to pause Alvarez's extradition to Chile, where he faces charges of terrorism, arms trafficking, extortion and kidnapping.

Read more on Barron's

It operates a platform that allows users to carry out cyber-attacks in exchange for a percentage of extortion proceeds.

Read more on BBC

Leaders of some other universities have called it extortion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coercion 
• fraud 
• shakedown 
• theft 

When To Use

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.