extortion

Pronunciation: /ɪkˈstɔɹʃən/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an exorbitant charge
  2. noun unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority)
  3. noun the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman extorcion, extorcioun, extorsioun, from Late Latin extortiō, from extorqueō.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
overcharge

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