extortion
pronunciation
How to pronounce extortion in British English:
UK [ɪk'stɔ:ʃn]
How to pronounce extortion in American English:
US [ɪkˈstɔrʃən]
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- Noun:
- an exorbitant charge
- unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority)
- the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)
Word Origin
- extortion (n.)
- c. 1300, from Latin extortionem (nominative extortio) "a twisting out, extorting," noun of action from past participle stem of extorquere "wrench out, wrest away, to obtain by force," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + torquere "to twist" (see torque (n.)).
Example
- 1. Civil defense forces are a venal extortion racket .
- 2. Moreover , a simpler process should mean less official extortion .
- 3. Many of the gangs kidnap for financial reasons : ransom and extortion .
- 4. Shopkeepers say extortion has by no means disappeared , and that much goes unreported .
- 5. The north koreans wanted financial compensation , but that is standard international practice , not extortion .