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
Finally, an array of criminal gangs has gained effective control over nearly a third of Mexico’s territory, pursuing extortion and other rackets that affect local communities far more than does international drug trafficking.
—
Eduardo García, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Sep. 2024
However, as the PI soon discovers, there’s much more to the case than meets the eye on the island—which is ruled by violence and extortion by the Vardakis family.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Organizations like the Master Munna and Nobi Hossain groups are involved in racketeering, extortion and smuggling in the refugee camps and clash with each other to establish dominance over territory.
—Nasir Uddin, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
Data breaches can lead to legal liability and the theft of intellectual property assets and can open students up to identity theft, fraud and extortion.
—Will Sweeney, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extortion 
Eduardo García, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Sep. 2024
However, as the PI soon discovers, there’s much more to the case than meets the eye on the island—which is ruled by violence and extortion by the Vardakis family.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Organizations like the Master Munna and Nobi Hossain groups are involved in racketeering, extortion and smuggling in the refugee camps and clash with each other to establish dominance over territory.
—Nasir Uddin, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
Data breaches can lead to legal liability and the theft of intellectual property assets and can open students up to identity theft, fraud and extortion.
—Will Sweeney, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extortion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extortion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
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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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