extortionate

American  

[ik-stawr-shuh-nit] / ɪkˈstɔr ʃə nɪt /

adjective

1. grossly excessive; exorbitant.

   extortionate prices.

2. characterized by extortion, as persons.

   extortionate moneylenders.

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extortionate British  

/ ɪkˈstɔːʃənɪt /

adjective

1. (of prices, etc) excessive; exorbitant

2. (of persons) using extortion

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Usage

What does extortionate mean? Extortionate means extremely excessive, especially in reference to prices. A close synonym is exorbitant. Extortionate can also be used to describe things involving extortion—the act of 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. Extortion and the verb extort are commonly used in this literal sense, but they can also be used in a few more general or figurative ways. Extortion can refer to the practice of overcharging someone for something or to obtaining something through relentless and unreasonable demands. These senses liken such actions to the actual crime of extortion. When used to refer to extortion, extortionate is most often applied to people or organizations that use such practices. The similar adjective extortionary is used to describe practices that involve or resemble extortion or people or organizations that engage in extortion. Example: These are the same extortionate lenders who cheated people out of their life savings and wrecked the economy in the process.

Other Word Forms

• extortionately
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of extortionate

First recorded in 1780–90; extortion + -ate ¹

Explanation

Use the adjective extortionate when you're describing something that costs an outrageous amount of money, like extortionate parking tickets or an extortionate bill from your plumber. Is the cost of something far beyond what's reasonable? Then it's extortionate! This word, with its sense of exaggeration, is a great way to describe prices that shock you. It comes from extortion, the use of threats or physical force to get something (usually money) from someone. So even if no literal extortion is going on, you may still want to wield this powerful word: "That theater may be fancy, with those reclining seats, but ticket prices are extortionate!"