extortive

The company faced extortive demands from the corrupt official.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to extortion: "extortive" describes something that involves or is characterized by the act of obtaining something, especially money, through force, threats, or undue pressure.
   • Coercive or oppressive: It can also refer to actions or methods that are coercive, oppressive, or exploitative in nature.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The regime's extortive policies forced citizens to pay bribes for basic services. (The regime’s actions involved forcing people to pay money through threats.)
  • His extortive demands for repayment were accompanied by veiled threats of violence. (His demands were made through coercion and intimidation.)
  • The contract was deemed extortive because it required unreasonable payments under duress. (The contract was considered exploitative and obtained through pressure.)

Advanced Usage

• "extortive behavior": conduct that involves using threats or force to extract money or favors.

  • The company was accused of extortive behavior toward its suppliers. (The company used coercive tactics to get unfair advantages.)

• "extortive tactics": methods of persuasion that rely on intimidation or blackmail.

  • The loan shark’s extortive tactics included threatening family members. (The loan shark used threats to force repayment.)

Variants and Related Words

• Extortion (n): the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.

  • The criminal was charged with extortion. (The crime of forcing someone to give money or property.)

• Extortionate (adj): (of a price or demand) unreasonably high; exorbitant.

  • The rent was extortionate for such a small apartment. (The rent was excessively high and unfair.)

• Extortionist (n): a person who commits extortion.

  • The extortionist demanded a large sum to keep the secret. (The person who uses threats to get money.)

Synonyms

• Coercive: involving the use of force or threats to make someone do something.
• Oppressive: unfairly harsh or burdensome.
• Exploitative: taking unfair advantage of someone for personal gain.

Related Idioms

• Twist someone's arm: to force or persuade someone to do something against their will.

  • He didn't want to donate, but they twisted his arm with emotional pleas. (They used pressure to make him donate.)

• Under duress: under threat or coercion.

  • She signed the contract under duress. (She signed because she was threatened.)