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 After a spike in reports, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is warning of scammers attempting to extort people over email by threatening to release their personal information. —

Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024 Louis Farina was convicted in 1983 of conspiring to extort $7,000 in payoffs from building contractors in exchange for help in obtaining city permits to rehabilitate an apartment building. —

Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2024 The former governor was convicted on corruption charges in 2011 for attempting to extort campaign donations from a children’s hospital and for attempting to sell former President Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. —

Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Sep. 2024 That investigation began after Torres told police that a 21-year-old Chicago man continued to extort him — threatening to release nude photos and videos — if Torres failed to meet his financial demands. —

Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extort

Verb

Wynant’s character is coerced into releasing a man imprisoned in a monastery who turns out to be the devil.

Nick Thomas, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2024
Vance also suggested that wealthy parents might go so far as to coerce their children to undergo gender surgeries to get into better colleges and universities.

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024