extort

[ ik-stawrt ]
/ ɪkˈstɔrt /

verb (used with object)

Law.
  1. 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.
  2. 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, adjective

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, adjective

Word Origin for extort

C16: from Latin extortus wrenched out, from extorquēre to wrest away, from torquēre to twist, wrench