Definition

1. Verb:
   • To obtain something, especially money, information, or a concession, from someone by using force, threats, intimidation, or other undue pressure.
   • To wrest or wring something from a person against their will, often through the abuse of authority or power.

Usage

The verb "extort" is transitive and typically used with a direct object (the thing obtained) and is often followed by "from" to indicate the victim. It describes an illegal or highly unethical action. - Structure: to extort something from someone - It implies a coercive and exploitative relationship where the victim is compelled to comply.

Examples

• The criminals extorted a large ransom from the family.
• He was accused of using his position to extort favors from contractors.
• Confessions obtained by extorting prisoners are not admissible in court.

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Judicial Context: The term is central in laws concerning blackmail, racketeering, and official corruption. "Extortion" is the noun form for the crime.
  • The prosecutor built a case for extortion against the public official.
• Figurative Use: While less common, it can describe obtaining something with great difficulty, as if by force, though this usage often retains a negative connotation.
  • The interviewer tried to extort a straight answer from the evasive politician.

Variants and Related Words

• Extortion (n): The act or crime of obtaining something by force, threats, or intimidation.
  • He was charged with extortion.
• Extortionate (adj): (Of a price, demand, etc.) grossly excessive; exorbitant. This adjective extends the sense of unfair, coercive taking to describe costs.
  • They paid an extortionate amount for the basic repairs.
• Extortionist (n): A person who practices extortion.

Synonyms

• Blackmail: To demand money or action by threatening to reveal damaging information. (A specific type of extortion.)
• Coerce: To persuade someone to do something by using force or threats. (Broader; the result is not necessarily a tangible object.)
• Wrest: To take something by force or effort. (Can be more physical or metaphorical.)
• Squeeze (informal): To obtain something by pressure or intimidation.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions

• Extort from: This is the standard prepositional construction, not a separable phrasal verb.
  • The gang extorted protection money from local shops.

Related Idioms

• "To extort a confession": A common collocation, especially in legal or policing contexts, meaning to force someone to confess, often through improper means.
  • The regime was known for torturing prisoners to extort confessions.

Verb

1. get or cause to become in a difficult or laborious manner
2. obtain by coercion or intimidation
   • They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss
   • They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him
3. obtain through intimidation