extort

verb

ik-ˈstȯrt How to pronounce extort (audio)
Definition of extortnext
as in to coerce
to get (as money) by the use of force or threats a school bully who was used to extorting lunch money from weaker kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extort contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extort are educe, elicit, evoke, and extract. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Where would educe be a reasonable alternative to extort?

While the synonyms educe and extort are close in meaning, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

In what contexts can elicit take the place of extort?

In some situations, the words elicit and extort are roughly equivalent. However, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When is evoke a more appropriate choice than extort?

The synonyms evoke and extort are sometimes interchangeable, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

When could extract be used to replace extort?

The words extract and extort can be used in similar contexts, but extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extort He was accused of extorting private contractors for bribes between 2018 and 2021 in exchange for helping the companies keep and obtain work on school construction contracts. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2026 Some cyber criminals may be trying to extort money from a victim. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Clement later successfully extorted one of Roshanki’s friends for $5,000 in drug proceeds, then insisted that Roshanski owed him money for drugs and fraud. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 The 99-year lease requires the USTA to share revenue with the city and pay for its own infrastructure, an unheard of arrangement today, when sports franchises routinely extort the government for subsidies and tax breaks. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extort
  1. coerce
  2. squeeze
  3. wring
  4. exact
  5. wrest
Verb
  • Terry Kay liked to tell the story of how he was coerced into writing his first novel by Pat Conroy, who told his literary agent Kay had written a brilliant manuscript.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike an appeal, the post-conviction process allows a petitioner to introduce new information, such as new allegations or evidence that their attorney coerced or threatened them.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • But in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • By the way the quarterback wrung the most out of John Metchie and a tight-end-by-committee crew with two of his three starting receivers out.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the standard story, the United States, Britain, and France stood by, wringing their hands and straining for appeasement while the Japanese stampeded through Asia and Nazi Storm Troopers ran roughshod over Europe.
    — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of wring
Verb
  • Charles Jencks, the late American cultural theorist and a famously exacting critic, saw in its flowing forms both sensuality and an important new direction for architecture.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That part involves the Twins’ sneaky plot the next day to exact their revenge by sending a worker up to retrieve the ball.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of exact
Verb
  • In the early nineteenth century in Britain, a number of radical newspapers sprang up which aimed to equip their readers with the knowledge and ideas necessary to wrest power from their social betters.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The report also stated that Saudi Arabia has ruled out negotiations until the strait has been wrested from Houthi control.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrest

Browse Nearby Words

extols
extort
extorted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extort. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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