View synonyms for extortion

extortion

[ ik-stawr-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an act or instance of extorting.
Synonyms: blackmail
Law. the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.
oppressive or illegal exaction, as of excessive price or interest:
the extortions of usurers.
anything extorted.
Synonyms: blackmail

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Other Words From

nonex·tortion noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of extortion¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extorcion, from Late Latin extortiōn-, stem of extortiō, literally, “a twisting away,” from extort(us) + -iō noun suffix; extort, -ion

Related Words

coercion
fraud
shakedown
theft

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