extort Definition
to obtain something, especially money, from someone by using force or threats.
Using extort: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "extort" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The gang extorted large sums of money from local businesses.
Example
He was accused of trying to extort a bribe from a company.
Example
The kidnappers extorted a ransom from the victim's family.
Example
The corrupt official extorted money from the poor villagers.
extort Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for extort
- coerce
- threaten
- intimidate
- force
- blackmail
Phrases with extort
Example
The criminals extorted money from the shopkeeper.
to obtain a confession from someone by using force or threats
Example
The police were accused of extorting a confession from the suspect.
Example
The kidnappers extorted a promise from the victim's family.
Origins of extort
from Latin 'extortus', past participle of 'extorquere', meaning 'to wrench out'
Summary: extort in Brief
'Extort' [ikˈstɔːt] means to obtain something, especially money, from someone by using force or threats. It is often used in the context of criminal activities such as blackmail or kidnapping, as in 'The gang extorted large sums of money from local businesses.' 'Extort' can also be used to mean obtaining a confession or a promise through force or threats.
