extort
5 synonyms and 4 antonyms for extort, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To obtain money or something else by threats, force, or abuse of power.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use extort
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
extort money
extort a confession
Etymology
From Latin extorquere, "to twist or wrench out" — from ex- ("out") plus torquere ("to twist").
Full origin of extort →Frequently asked questions
What does “extort” mean?
The word “extort” means to obtain money or something else by threats, force, or abuse of power. In plain terms, to force someone to hand something over through threats or pressure.
How do you pronounce “extort”?
“Extort” is pronounced ihk-STAWT (/ɪkˈstɔː(ɹ)t/ in IPA).
How do you use “extort” in a sentence?
Here is “extort” used in a sentence: “The gang tried to extort money from local shop owners.”
What part of speech is “extort”?
“Extort” is a verb.
Where does the word “extort” come from?
The word “extort” comes from Latin. From Latin extorquere, "to twist or wrench out" — from ex- ("out") plus torquere ("to twist").
