Word
extort
Phoneticsex·tort, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛkˈstɔɹt/
UK/ɛkstˈɔːt/
Definition
v. to force someone to give you money or something else by using threats or violence. It is a serious crime that involves making someone feel afraid.
v. to obtain something, typically money, by force or threats of violence. Often used in legal contexts to describe the act of coercion for personal gain.
Examples
“The criminals tried to extort money from the shopkeeper.”
“The gang was arrested after they attempted to extort protection money from local businesses.”
“The witness claimed that the defendant had tried to extort a confession by threatening to release incriminating evidence during the trial.”
Examples
simple
“The criminals tried to extort money from the shopkeeper.”
contextual
“The gang was arrested after they attempted to extort protection money from local businesses.”
complex
“The witness claimed that the defendant had tried to extort a confession by threatening to release incriminating evidence during the trial.”
Real-World Examples
“Vladimir K was wanted in Germany for hacking into a logistics company in September 2024, encrypting data on its systems and extorting it for around $160,000 in cryptocurrency.” “Fashion giants ranging from Adidas to Alexander McQueen have been targeted by cyber-criminals seeking to extort money by threatening to release customer data unless they are paid a ransom.” “These documents were stolen and are being leaked to extort Apple and Quanta.” “The attacker, who unsuccessfully attempted to extort the company by threatening to release stolen source code and specific IT credentials, never claimed to have accessed any customer information.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquere (“to twist or wrench out, to extort”); from ex (“out”) + -tort, from torqueō (“twist, turn”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/extort