sextortion
noun
sex·tor·tion
ˌsek-ˈstȯr-shən 
: extortion in which a perpetrator threatens to expose sexually compromising information (such as sexually explicit private images or videos of the victim) unless the victim meets certain demands
Sextortion is when an online predator tricks someone into giving them nude images or videos, and then demands money, more images, or makes other demands—threatening to share the images with the victim's friends and family if they don't comply.—
bradfordtoday.ca
bradfordtoday.caSextortion is a crime that is now sweeping the web, from organized criminal groups operating overseas to cyber-bullies at the local high school.—The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)
The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)Two male high school students in an Allegan County school district were recent victims of sextortion—a form of online sexual exploitation that typically occurs against kids ages 10-17.—Sherri Kolade
Sherri KoladeDeling used text messages and social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik and Skype, in the sextortion scheme against girls between the ages of 11 and 17, prosecutors say.—Chacour Koop
Chacour KoopExamples of sextortion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The most common victims of financial sextortion are teen boys ages 13-17.
—Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Lawmaker who lost teen son to sextortion says social media companies not doing enough
South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey says social media companies are not doing enough to protect kids from sextortion scams after his 17-year-old son, Gavin, died by suicide.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
Of the 13,000 reports of financial sextortion the F.B.I. received from October 2021 to March 2023, a vast majority of them involved boys.
—Tim Balk, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2025
The district attorney said any victims of sextortion or people who are aware of sextortion taking place can contact the DA’s office or call authorities for help.
—Whp-Tv Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2025
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Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Lawmaker who lost teen son to sextortion says social media companies not doing enough
South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey says social media companies are not doing enough to protect kids from sextortion scams after his 17-year-old son, Gavin, died by suicide.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
Of the 13,000 reports of financial sextortion the F.B.I. received from October 2021 to March 2023, a vast majority of them involved boys.
—Tim Balk, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2025
The district attorney said any victims of sextortion or people who are aware of sextortion taking place can contact the DA’s office or call authorities for help.
—Whp-Tv Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sextortion
Cite this Entry
“Sextortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sextortion. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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