Extortion
/ɪkˈstɔːrʃən/
nounC1
Definition
Extortion means making someone give you money or something valuable by threatening them. The threat can be to hurt them, damage their property, or reveal secrets. It is illegal and is often related to crime or unfair pressure.
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See It in Action
Crime of forcing someone to pay money by threats
- •The company was a victim of extortion when someone demanded money to keep their secrets safe.
- •He was arrested for extortion after threatening to reveal private information.
- •Extortion is a serious crime punishable by law.
Informal use: strong pressure to get something (less common, usually negative)
- •The manager accused the workers of extortion when they demanded too much money.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "extortion" like "asking for money," but done with fear or threats, not politely or fairly
- ✓Picture someone holding a sign that says "Give me money or else!" with a scary face
- ✓It's the feeling when you are scared to say no because you might get hurt or lose something important
- ✓Sounds like "ex-TOR-shun" → imagine a strong force (like a "tor" or tower) pushing someone to give up their money
- ✓In movies, gangsters use extortion to get money from shop owners by threatening harm
- ✓NOT like "donation" (given freely and kindly), extortion is forced and unfair
- ✓NOT like "theft" (stealing without asking), extortion involves demanding with threats
- ✓NOT like "bribery" (giving money to get favor), extortion is taking money by threatening
Try Other Words
- •Blackmail: forcing someone by threatening to reveal secrets (Use when the threat is about private information)
- •Coercion: forcing someone to do something by threats or pressure (Use when emphasizing force or pressure, not just money)
- •Threat: a statement of intention to cause harm (Use when focusing on the warning or danger, not the crime itself)
Unboxing
- •Prefix "ex-" means "out" or "from"
- •Root "tort" comes from Latin "torquere," meaning "to twist" or "to force"
- •Suffix "-ion" turns the verb form into a noun meaning "the act or process of"
- •Origin: From Latin "extortio," meaning "a twisting out" or "forcing out"
- •Historically, it described forcing something out of someone by pressure or violence; today it means illegally demanding money or favors by threats
Reflect & Connect
•How might extortion affect people’s trust in their community or workplace?
•Can you think of situations where pressure to give something becomes extortion? Where is the line?
Fill in the blanks
1.Extortion usually happens when someone uses ___ to force another person to pay money.
2.The victim of extortion feels ___ because they fear the threats made against them.
3.Unlike theft, extortion involves ___ someone to give money or goods.
4.When someone threatens to reveal secrets unless paid, it is called ___.
5.People often try to avoid extortion by ___ the threats to the police.
6.Extortion can include threats of physical harm, damage to property, or ___.
7.If someone pays because of extortion, it means they gave money ___ their free will.