extortion
noun
ex·tor·tion
ik-ˈstȯr-shən 
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
especially
: the offense committed by an official engaging in such practice
2
: something extorted
especially
: a gross overcharge
Examples of extortion in a Sentence
He was arrested and charged with extortion.
six dollars for a cup of coffee is just plain extortion
Recent Examples on the Web
Under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, there are 35 specific offenses, including kidnapping, murder, bribery and extortion, and federal prosecutors need to show a pattern involving at least two overt acts as part of a criminal enterprise.
—
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Ed Burke, who spent a record 54 years on the City Council and went to prison for racketeering, bribery and extortion.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Baldoni was hit with a major setback on Monday, when Judge Lewis Liman dismissed his defamation and extortion suit against Lively and the New York Times.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 June 2025
Earlier Monday, Southern District of New York judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 41-year-old Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, for defamation and civil extortion.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extortion
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Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Ed Burke, who spent a record 54 years on the City Council and went to prison for racketeering, bribery and extortion.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Baldoni was hit with a major setback on Monday, when Judge Lewis Liman dismissed his defamation and extortion suit against Lively and the New York Times.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 June 2025
Earlier Monday, Southern District of New York judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 41-year-old Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, for defamation and civil extortion.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
extortion
noun
ex·tor·tion
ik-ˈstȯr-shən
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
specifically
: the act or practice of extorting by a public official acting under color of office
2
: the crime of extorting
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