extortionist
Americannoun
Usage
What does extortionist mean? An extortionist is someone who practices 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. The word extortioner means the same exact thing. 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. Extort can mean to overcharge someone for something or to obtain through relentless and unreasonable demands. In both of these cases, a person who does so can be called an extortionist or an extortioner. These senses liken such actions to the actual crime of extortion. Example: Mobsters are often extortionists, meaning they extort money from small business owners through intimidation.
Etymology
Origin of extortionist
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.
Nike, in court documents, portrays him as an extortionist who seized on the lapsed trademark for money.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025
Costero himself became a target, facing legal threats and a doxing campaign that revealed his personal information, branded him an electronic extortionist, and painted Wikipedia’s volunteer editors as enemies of the people.
From Slate • Oct. 22, 2025
He said the law could also help end extortionist demands on the state, and in some cases "nil compensation" could be justified.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2025
Tacopina tormented Ephron during two days of cross-examination, insisting he only contacted the police to bolster a civil lawsuit he filed against Rocky, calling him an extortionist and a “perjurer.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2025
Driver an extortionist; but I knew the exact distance, to the tenth of a kilometre.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 62, Jan 27, 1872 by Various
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.
