Definition
Extortion refers to the act of obtaining something through force, threats, or intimidation, typically money or other valuable things. It is often considered a criminal offense and can result in legal consequences.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
noun.
Synonyms
blackmail, coercion, exploitation, shakedown, exaction, pressure, squeezing, intimidation, protection racket
Antonyms
reward, compensation, payment, gift, bribe, donation, philanthropy, charity, kindness, honesty, fairness.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | extortion, extortions, extortionists, extortionist |
| Verb | extorted, extort, extorts, extorting |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
-
The politician was caught up in an extortion scandal after photos of him taking bribes were leaked to the media.
-
The mafia uses extortion as a means of control, forcing businesses to pay for protection or suffer the consequences.
-
The victim of the crime reported that the perpetrator had used extortion to obtain their personal information and bank account details.
-
The employee was fired for attempting to extort money from customers under the guise of providing services that were not necessary.
Usage
Extortion is a term that is often used in criminal law, as it refers to the act of obtaining something through force, threats, or intimidation. It can refer to a variety of situations, from simple blackmail to complex organized crime schemes.
The word extortion originates from the Latin word extortus, which means to twist or wrench by force. The prefix “ex-” typically means out of, away from, or from, while the root word “torquere” means to twist or turn. Thus, the meaning of the word extortion can be understood as something that is twisted or taken away from someone by force or coercion.
Extortion can take many forms, but it usually involves threatening harm or using force to obtain something from someone else. Common examples of extortion include blackmail, where someone threatens to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about someone else unless they pay a certain amount of money. Another example is protection racketeering, where someone offers to provide protection to a business or individual but then uses threats or force to extort money from them.
Some variations of the word extortion include extortive, which is an adjective that describes something that is obtained through extortion. Extortionist is a noun that refers to someone who engages in extortion. There are also other words that are similar in meaning to extortion, such as coercion, pressure, and intimidation.
In conclusion, extortion is a serious crime that can have severe consequences for both the victims and the perpetrators. It is a type of behavior that is generally considered illegal and immoral, and it can take many different forms. Understanding the various forms of extortion and the ways that it can be prevented and punished is important for maintaining a fair and just society.