Thesaurus results for EXTORT

Q: How does the verb 'extort' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extort are educe , elicit , evoke , and extract . While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly. // extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Q: Where would 'educe' be a reasonable alternative to 'extort'?

While the synonyms educe and extort are close in meaning, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent. // educed order out of chaos

Q: In what contexts can 'elicit' take the place of 'extort'?

In some situations, the words elicit and extort are roughly equivalent. However, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response. // careful questioning elicited the truth

Q: When is 'evoke' a more appropriate choice than 'extort'?

The synonyms evoke and extort are sometimes interchangeable, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory. // a song that evokes warm memories

Q: When could 'extract' be used to replace 'extort'?

The words extract and extort can be used in similar contexts, but extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information. // extracted a confession from him

extort

verb

ik-ˈstȯrt

Definition of extort

as in to coerce

to get (as money) by the use of force or threats a school bully who was used to extorting lunch money from weaker kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb extort contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extort are educe, elicit, evoke, and extract. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Where would educe be a reasonable alternative to extort?

While the synonyms educe and extort are close in meaning, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

In what contexts can elicit take the place of extort?

In some situations, the words elicit and extort are roughly equivalent. However, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When is evoke a more appropriate choice than extort?

The synonyms evoke and extort are sometimes interchangeable, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

When could extract be used to replace extort?

The words extract and extort can be used in similar contexts, but extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of extort He was accused of extorting private contractors for bribes between 2018 and 2021 in exchange for helping the companies keep and obtain work on school construction contracts. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2026 Some cyber criminals may be trying to extort money from a victim. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Clement later successfully extorted one of Roshanki’s friends for $5,000 in drug proceeds, then insisted that Roshanski owed him money for drugs and fraud. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 The 99-year lease requires the USTA to share revenue with the city and pay for its own infrastructure, an unheard of arrangement today, when sports franchises routinely extort the government for subsidies and tax breaks. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extort

Verb

The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
According to Moscow’s defense intellectuals, Russia may need to change its posture to contain this trend, including by seeking new tools to keep Europe at bay and to coerce it below the nuclear threshold.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

Centrist Democrats have wrung their hands about the potential vulnerabilities of left-wing candidates like El-Sayed running in battleground states, and El-Sayed has been straining to unite the Democratic base in Michigan.

— New York Times, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, the film works to wring out a tear, occasionally squeezing too hard, but earning several sad sighs of recognition.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wring

Verb

From Tuesday through Saturday, he can still be found in the kitchen in full effect, ensuring every meal meets his exacting standards.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
Charles Jencks, the late American cultural theorist and a famously exacting critic, saw in its flowing forms both sensuality and an important new direction for architecture.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of exact

Verb

One of Indian democracy’s great achievements is that even its poorest citizens have proved adept at recognizing when the power of their vote is being wrested away, gauging the consequences and organizing to resist.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
But, amid historically low approval ratings for the President, the Democrats are hoping to flip the seat, an essential part of any attempt to wrest back control of both houses of Congress.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrest

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“Extort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extort. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extort

verb

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Synonyms of extort

verb

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