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
California For Subscribers Kidnapping, extortion and OnlyFans: How a mother escaped a gangster’s plot
July 22, 2024
Later that day, prosecutors allege, Warren returned to Woodland Hills.
—
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Leverage Their Expertise Fortunately, most organizations have limited direct experience with ransomware attacks and data theft/extortion.
—Robert Harrison, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in an earlier news conference the government of India had undertaken a broad campaign against Indian dissidents including homicides and extortion.
—Reuters, NBC News, 15 Oct. 2024
Mario Medina, who was also convicted of an international extortion charge, enlisted his sister and son in a scheme that intended to defraud their neighbor’s family out of tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extortion 
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Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Leverage Their Expertise Fortunately, most organizations have limited direct experience with ransomware attacks and data theft/extortion.
—Robert Harrison, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in an earlier news conference the government of India had undertaken a broad campaign against Indian dissidents including homicides and extortion.
—Reuters, NBC News, 15 Oct. 2024
Mario Medina, who was also convicted of an international extortion charge, enlisted his sister and son in a scheme that intended to defraud their neighbor’s family out of tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extortion
Dictionary Entries Near extortion
Cite this Entry
“Extortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortion. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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