Thesaurus results for EXTORT

Q: How does the verb 'extort' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extort are educe , elicit , evoke , and extract . While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly. // extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Q: Where would 'educe' be a reasonable alternative to 'extort'?

While the synonyms educe and extort are close in meaning, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent. // educed order out of chaos

Q: In what contexts can 'elicit' take the place of 'extort'?

In some situations, the words elicit and extort are roughly equivalent. However, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response. // careful questioning elicited the truth

Q: When is 'evoke' a more appropriate choice than 'extort'?

The synonyms evoke and extort are sometimes interchangeable, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory. // a song that evokes warm memories

Q: When could 'extract' be used to replace 'extort'?

The words extract and extort can be used in similar contexts, but extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information. // extracted a confession from him

extort

verb

ik-ˈstȯrt

Definition of extort next

as in to coerce

to get (as money) by the use of force or threats a school bully who was used to extorting lunch money from weaker kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extort contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extort are educe, elicit, evoke, and extract. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Where would educe be a reasonable alternative to extort?

While the synonyms educe and extort are close in meaning, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

In what contexts can elicit take the place of extort?

In some situations, the words elicit and extort are roughly equivalent. However, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When is evoke a more appropriate choice than extort?

The synonyms evoke and extort are sometimes interchangeable, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

When could extract be used to replace extort?

The words extract and extort can be used in similar contexts, but extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of extort The plot is set in motion when Ghada’s noon prayers are interrupted by a phone call, detailing her estranged mother extorting a young relative for cash, a wonderfully symbolic occurrence of the past interfering with her present piety — a running theme. —

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024 Obviously, use your own discretion, but take it from this Reddit thread in which multiple people shared stories about being extorted after sharing their numbers. —

James Factora, Them, 20 Dec. 2024 The family fled Honduras, their home country, about two months ago after being extorted for money. —

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024 Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said the allegations were part of a broad scheme to extort his family. —

Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extort

Verb

The alternative to accommodation is for the United States to coerce South Korea into giving up on nuclearization by threatening economic sanctions and exclusion from the market for nuclear materials.

Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
Terrorism requires the death to be intended to intimidate or coerce the population or influence government policy.

Erin Keller, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024