Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
extort
verb
/ɪkˈstɔːrt/
Definition
To obtain something, especially money, through force, threats, or coercion.
Examples
- The criminals attempted to extort money from the business owner.
- He was arrested for trying to extort information from the witness.
- The extortion tactics used by the gang terrified the local residents.
Meaning
Extortion is the act of taking money or other goods from a person or organization by using threats or intimidation. It’s illegal and often punishable by law.
Synonyms
- Blackmail
- Coerce
- Obtain by threats
- Extract