noun
extortion
ihk-STAW-shuhn
noun
1
The crime of getting money or property from someone by using threats, force, or intimidation.
"The gang was charged with extortion after threatening shop owners for protection money."
"Demanding a bribe to approve the permit is straightforward extortion."
How to Use Extortion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishForcing someone to hand over money or property through threats rather than fair dealing.
Common mistake
Not the same as bribery — in bribery someone offers a benefit; in extortion someone is threatened into paying.
Common pairings
charged with extortion
a form of extortion
extortion racket
Word Forms
extortions plural
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The gang was charged with _____ after threatening shop owners for protection money.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman extorcion, ultimately from Latin extorquēre, "to twist or wrench out" — the same idea as forcibly wringing something from someone.