extortionate

[ ik-stawr-shuh-nit ]

adjective

1. grossly excessive; exorbitant:

   extortionate prices.

2. characterized by extortion, as persons:

   extortionate moneylenders.

extortionate

/ ɪkˈstɔːʃənɪt /

adjective

1. (of prices, etc) excessive; exorbitant
2. (of persons) using extortion

Derived Forms

• exˈtortionately, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·tortion·ate·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of extortionate¹

First recorded in 1780–90; extortion + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Natasha Kurzeja from London says the cost of formula is "extortionate".

From BBC

America’s privileged elites have set a terrible precedent, and in so doing, have merely encouraged even more extortionate threats.

From Salon

Billionaires will no doubt whine that such a tax is unfair and extortionate; it could reduce some billionaires’ wealth, for example, from $10 billion all the way down to $9.8 billion one year and around $9.6 billion the next.

From Slate

More likely than not, it’ll be massive real estate investment trusts that will turn around and list them as vacation rentals, or lease them at extortionate rates.

From Slate

Brooks is now seeking a trial by jury and a declaratory judgment against the woman, compensatory and punitive damages, and an injunction prohibiting the woman from continuing “her extortionate behavior” and “further publicizing her false allegations” against Brooks.

From Los Angeles Times