extort

Extort is defined as using violence or threats to get something from someone.

(verb)

An example of to extort is a kidnapper getting money from the family of a person they have taken in order to get the person returned.

See extort in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to get (money, etc.) from someone by violence, threats, misuse of authority, etc.; exact or wrest (from)

Origin: < L extortus, pp. of extorquere, to twist or turn out < ex-, out + torquere, to twist: see tort

Related Forms:

See extort in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb ex·tort·ed, ex·tort·ing, ex·torts

To obtain from another by coercion or intimidation.

Origin:

Origin: Latin extorquēre, extort-, to wrench out, extort

Origin: : ex-, ex-

Origin: + torquēre, to twist; see terk^w- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

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