Extort - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To extort means to obtain something, often money, through force, threats, or intimidation. It involves coercing someone unwillingly to comply with demands, typically in an illegal or unethical manner.
Definition:
To obtain something by force, threats, or unfair means.
Synonyms:
Coerce, blackmail, squeeze, wrest
Part of Speech:
Verb
Antonyms:
Give, donate
Common Collocations:
Extort money, extort information, extort a confession
Derivatives:
Extortion, extortionist
Usage Tips:
Use "extort" when describing illegal or unethical pressure to gain something from someone.
Common Phrases:
Extort money, extort a promise, extort under duress
Etymology:
From Latin "extortus," meaning "wrested away."
Examples:
- 1. The gang tried to extort money from the shop owner.
- 2. He was arrested for attempting to extort confidential data from the company.
- 3. They used threats to extort a false confession from him.
- 4. Corrupt officials often extort bribes from local businesses.