Words / B2

ik-STORT/ɪkˈstɔːt/

To extort is to obtain money or something else by threats or force: extort from; extort a confession. Blackmail is a close twin (threats to reveal a secret); extract is take out and also “get information”; exhort (formal urge) is a sound-alike trap. Date the extortion in the case, then the Act. Mix-up: extort vs exhort; extort vs export; do not write extort for a fine that is lawful in the source.

Meaning

To obtain money or something else by threats or force (extort from).

Examples

• “Date the extortion in the case, then the Act, the citizenship paper said.”
• “They tried to extort a confession, which is still a named interview — quote the ruling if given.”

Good to know

extort money / a confession from; extortion. Close: blackmail. Sound-alike trap: exhort (urge). Trap: export / a lawful fine. Citizenship and news. Get by threat — name the threat and the Act.

Near in meaning

blackmail, squeeze, wrest

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