extortion
noun
ex·tor·tion
ik-ˈstȯr-shən 
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
especially
: the offense committed by an official engaging in such practice
2
: something extorted
especially
: a gross overcharge
Examples of extortion in a Sentence
He was arrested and charged with extortion.
six dollars for a cup of coffee is just plain extortion
Recent Examples on the Web
In response, Baldoni's $400 million defamation and extortion case targets Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane.
—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Baldoni has denied Lively’s allegations and filed a lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds last month, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
The Islamic State in Somalia been involved in attacks in southern and central Somalia, operates in remote and urban areas and is primarily funded through extortion and smuggling.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Police say he’s also been charged with kidnapping, extortion, and menacing.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extortion 
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Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Baldoni has denied Lively’s allegations and filed a lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds last month, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
The Islamic State in Somalia been involved in attacks in southern and central Somalia, operates in remote and urban areas and is primarily funded through extortion and smuggling.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Police say he’s also been charged with kidnapping, extortion, and menacing.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extortion
Dictionary Entries Near extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
extortion
noun
ex·tor·tion
ik-ˈstȯr-shən
1
: the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property
specifically
: the act or practice of extorting by a public official acting under color of office
2
: the crime of extorting
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