extort
[ ik-stawrt ]
/ ɪkˈstɔrt /
verb (used with object)
Law.
- to wrest or wring (money, information, etc.) from a person by violence, intimidation, or abuse of authority; obtain by force, torture, threat, or the like.
- to take illegally by reason of one's office.
to compel (something) of a person or thing: Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.
Origin of extort
1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin
extortus, past participle of
extorquēre, equivalent to
ex-
ex-1 +
torquēre to twist
SYNONYMS FOR extort
1 See
extract.
OTHER WORDS FROM extort
ex·tort·er, noun ex·tor·tive, adjective non·ex·tor·tive, adjective un·ex·tort·ed, adjectiveWords nearby extort
extirpation,
extn.,
extol,
extorsion,
extorsive,
extort,
extortion,
extortionary,
extortionate,
extortionist,
extr.
Example sentences from the Web for extorted
British Dictionary definitions for extorted
extort
/ (ɪkˈstɔːt) /
verb (tr)
to secure (money, favours, etc) by intimidation, violence, or the misuse of influence or authority
to obtain by importunate demands
the children extorted a promise of a trip to the zoo
to overcharge for (something, esp interest on a loan)
Derived forms of extort
extorter, noun extortive, adjectiveWord Origin for extort
C16: from Latin
extortus wrenched out, from
extorquēre to wrest away, from
torquēre to twist, wrench