Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

extortion

/ɪkˈstɔːʃən/ noun

In Latin: repetundae Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about extortion at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An exorbitant charge.
Unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority).
the extortion by dishonest officials of fees for performing their sworn duty
The felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence).

Origin

From Middle English extorcion, from Anglo-Norman extorcion, extorcioun, extorsioun, from Late Latin extortiō, from extorqueō. By surface analysis, extort + -ion.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word