Meaning & use
extortion
The crime of obtaining money or property from someone by force, threats, or intimidation.
See it in a sentence
The gang was arrested for extortion after threatening shop owners who refused to pay for protection.
Prosecutors charged the official with extortion for demanding bribes in exchange for building permits.
A note on using this word
Extortion always involves a threat, which distinguishes it from theft or fraud that use deception or stealth instead.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “extortion”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.