Meaning & use

extortionate

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

Unreasonably or unfairly excessive, especially in price; resembling extortion.

See it in a sentence

The hotel charged an extortionate fee for a bottle of water from the minibar.

Tenants complained about the extortionate rent increases imposed by the new landlord.

A note on using this word

Though it shares a root with "extortion" (obtaining something through force or threats), "extortionate" today mainly describes prices that merely feel unfairly high.

Words with a similar meaning

exorbitantexcessive

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “extortionate”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.