Extort

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Extort

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

ik-STORT  /ɪkˈstɔːt/

Definition

To obtain something, especially money, through force, threats, or coercion; to wrest something from someone by intimidation.

Plain meaning

To get money or something valuable from someone by threatening or frightening them — taking by force or fear rather than by right.

Register

Formal and legal. Extort is a criminal law term — it names a serious offence. In everyday use it can be used hyperbolically for unreasonable charges or demands.