extort Meaning & Definition
What Does Extort Mean?
As a verb, extort means To take or seize from an unwilling person by physical force, menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise of power or ingenuity. It is also used to mean To obtain by means of the offense of extortion. As an adjective, it means Extorted; obtained by extortion. As an adjective, it means Wrongfully obtained.
Quick Facts About Extort
| Part of speech | verb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ɪkˈstɔː(ɹ)t// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | wring, rack and gouge |
| Verb forms | extorts, extorting, extorted |
Extort Definition (Verb)
- To take or seize from an unwilling person by physical force, menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise of power or ingenuity.
to extort contributions from the vanquished
- To obtain by means of the offense of extortion.
- To twist outwards.
Extort as an Adjective
- Extorted; obtained by extortion.
Verb
- To take or seize off an unwilling person by physical force, menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise of power or ingenuity
to extort a promise
Adjective
- Wrongfully obtained.
Synonyms of Extort
Extort synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Extort
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Extort in a Sentence
to extort contributions from the vanquished
to extort confessions of guilt
to extort a promise
to extort payment of a debt
Word Forms & Grammar
extort (third-person singular simple present extorts, present participle extorting, simple past and past participle extorted)
extort (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Extort
Origin of Extort
Borrowed from Latin extortus, past participle of extorquere (“to twist or wrench out, to extort”); from ex (“out”) + -tort, from torqueō (“twist, turn”).
Pronouncing Extort
You say extort as //ɪkˈstɔː(ɹ)t//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Extort
Is extort a verb or an adjective?
Extort is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is another word for extort?
You can replace extort with words such as wring, rack and gouge. See the full list of extort synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of extort?
The past tense of extort is extorted. The present participle is extorting.