extort

verb ex·tort \ik-ˈstȯrt\

: to get (something, such as money) from a person by the use of force or threats

Full Definition of EXTORT

transitive verb

: to obtain from a person by force, intimidation, or undue or illegal power : wring; also : to gain especially by ingenuity or compelling argument

— ex·tort·er noun

— ex·tor·tive \-ˈstȯr-tiv\ adjective

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Origin of EXTORT

Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre to wrench out, extort, from ex- + torquēre to twist — more at torture

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to EXTORT

Synonyms: exact, wrest, wring

Synonym Discussion of EXTORT

educe, evoke, elicit, extract, extort mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved. educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent <educed order out of chaos>. evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory <a song that evokes warm memories>. elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response <careful questioning elicited the truth>. extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information <extracted a confession from him>. extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly <extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform>.

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with EXTORT

abort, airport, amort, aport, assort, athwart, backcourt, bellwort, birthwort, bistort, blood sport, Bridgeport, carport, cavort, cohort, colewort, comport, consort, contort, crosscourt, deport, disport, distort, downcourt, effort, escort, exhort, export, fall short, figwort, forecourt, for short, free port, frontcourt, glasswort, Gosport, Gulfport, half-court, homeport, home port, in short, jetport, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, Newport, outport, passport, presort, purport, ragwort, report, re-sort, resort, retort, sandwort, seaport, sell short, Shreveport, spaceport, spearwort, spoilsport, Stockport, support, toothwort, transport

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "extort"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "extort"

Nglish: Translation of "extort" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "extort" for Arabic speakers

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