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Definition of "extortion" []

  • The act or an instance of extorting. (noun)
  • Illegal use of one's official position or powers to obtain property, funds, or patronage. (noun)
  • An excessive or exorbitant charge. (noun)
  • Something extorted. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "extortion" in a sentence
  • "Their pertinacity in extortion is said to be marvellous."
  • "But Jean-Philippe Chauzy, a spokesman for the IOM, said interviews with 14 Libyan migrants reaching Lampedusa on three vessels over the weekend confirmed a pattern of payments to officials, which he characterized as extortion."
  • "He claimed his former employee try to blackmail him and said he paid her what he called extortion money and was afraid to go to authorities."