verb
extort
ihk-STAWT
verb
1
To obtain money or something else by threats, force, or abuse of power.
"The gang tried to extort money from local shop owners."
"He was accused of trying to extort a confession from the suspect."
How to Use Extort
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo force someone to hand something over through threats or pressure.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
extort money
extort a confession
Word Forms
extorted past tense, extorts singular
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The gang tried to _____ money from local shop owners.
Etymology
From Latin extorquere, "to twist or wrench out" — from ex- ("out") plus torquere ("to twist").