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
Tren de Aragua gang members are known for violence, murder, kidnapping, extortion, bribery and human and drug trafficking and are linked to more than 100 law enforcement investigations nationwide.
—
Bethany Blankley | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Dec. 2024
Before that, though, HTS relied on traditional militant fundraising methods: extortion, kidnapping and oil-smuggling.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
The ticket also includes a clause that prevents the company from being held liable for anything that happens to you owing to force majeure, like an unexpected storm or illness, piracy, war, revolution, extortion, terrorist action or threat, hijacking, or bombing.
—Bridget Read, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
The former Cuyahoga County commissioner was convicted in 2012 of charges including bribery, extortion, wire fraud and racketeering.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extortion 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bethany Blankley | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Dec. 2024
Before that, though, HTS relied on traditional militant fundraising methods: extortion, kidnapping and oil-smuggling.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
The ticket also includes a clause that prevents the company from being held liable for anything that happens to you owing to force majeure, like an unexpected storm or illness, piracy, war, revolution, extortion, terrorist action or threat, hijacking, or bombing.
—Bridget Read, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
The former Cuyahoga County commissioner was convicted in 2012 of charges including bribery, extortion, wire fraud and racketeering.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extortion
Dictionary Entries Near extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share