extort

[ ik-stawrt ]

verb (used with object)

1. Law.
   1. to wrest or wring (money, information, etc.) from a person by violence, intimidation, or abuse of authority; obtain by force, torture, threat, or the like.
   2. to take illegally by reason of one's office.
2. to compel (something) of a person or thing:

   Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.

extort

/ ɪkˈstɔːt /

verb

1. to secure (money, favours, etc) by intimidation, violence, or the misuse of influence or authority
2. to obtain by importunate demands

   the children extorted a promise of a trip to the zoo

3. to overcharge for (something, esp interest on a loan)

Derived Forms

• exˈtortive, adjective
• exˈtorter, noun

Other Words From

• ex·torter noun
• ex·tortive adjective
• nonex·tortive adjective
• unex·torted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extort¹

First recorded in 1525–1500; from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + torquēre “to twist”; tort ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of extort¹

C16: from Latin extortus wrenched out, from extorquēre to wrest away, from torquēre to twist, wrench

Synonym Study

See extract.

Example Sentences

Authorities said he used the images to shame girls and extort high school victims by threatening to post more compromising content if they did not send more photos.

From Los Angeles Times

In Guerrero, a series of brazen violent acts emphasized the chaotic nature of the state’s criminal topography, where a dense network of gangs compete for the right to sell drugs and extort money from business owners.

From Los Angeles Times

But before Mackris could go any further, O’Reilly hit her with a lawsuit, alleging that she and her lawyer were trying to extort him out of $60 million in hush money.

From Slate

The criminal groups extort migrants who cross the southern state on their way north to Mexico's border with the United States.

From BBC

County Sheriff’s employees helped a woman in China extort her former business partner for $100 million in disputed shares.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coerce
• elicit
• exact
• extract
• wrest
• wring