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
In response, Baldoni is suing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion.
—
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2025
MacArthur said the racketeering activity referred to two state bribery statutes, two state misconduct statutes, and two federal statutes regarding extortion and unlawful use of a facility.
—Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025
The suit alleges civil extortion, defamation, and a host of other claims in what Baldoni describes as a campaign of reputational sabotage.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Bleeping Computer on Wednesday also reported that an extortion note the attacker sent to PowerSchool claimed that the personal data of 62.4 million students and 9.5 million teachers was swept up in the breach.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extortion 
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Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2025
MacArthur said the racketeering activity referred to two state bribery statutes, two state misconduct statutes, and two federal statutes regarding extortion and unlawful use of a facility.
—Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025
The suit alleges civil extortion, defamation, and a host of other claims in what Baldoni describes as a campaign of reputational sabotage.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Bleeping Computer on Wednesday also reported that an extortion note the attacker sent to PowerSchool claimed that the personal data of 62.4 million students and 9.5 million teachers was swept up in the breach.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025
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 30 Jan. 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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