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
Vocabulary lists containing 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
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
He and his firm lied to their 120 investors about where their money was going while dramatically overvaluing holdings to justify extortionist management fees.
From Slate ● Nov. 29, 2023
Today, they still pay extortionist fees to transport the bodies of loved ones back to Wadi al Salam, a holy cemetery for Shiite Muslims in Najaf, Iraq.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2023
They looked upon the imprisoned king with more favor than on Chalginna, who to feed his extravagances, became an extortionist and was fast making beggars of even his most loyal subjects.
From Voices; Birth-Marks; The Man and the Elephant by Mathew Joseph Holt
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.
