extortion
extortion
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling for "Extortion"
IPA: /ɪkˈstɔːʃn/
Syllable Breakdown:
ex-: /ɪk/
/ɪ/ - short "i" sound
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
tor-: /ˈtɔː/
/ˈt/ - stressed voiceless alveolar stop
/ɔː/ - long "o" sound
tion: /ʃn/
/ʃ/ - voiceless palatal fricative
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Extortion is a noun, and its primary forms are:
Singular: extortion
Plural: extortions
There are no other common grammatical variations of the word "extortion."
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The act of obtaining money or other valuable things by force, threats, or blackmail.
Synonyms: blackmail, racketeering, bribery, coercion, extortionate demand
Antonyms: generosity, charity, altruism, benevolence
Verb
Definition: To obtain money or other valuable things by force, threats, or blackmail.
Synonyms: blackmail, extort, coerce, extort money from, shake down
Antonyms: donate, give, bestow, grant
Adjective
Definition: Relating to or characterized by extortion.
Synonyms: extortionate, coercive, oppressive, rapacious, greedy
Antonyms: generous, charitable, philanthropic
Adverb
Definition: In a manner that involves extortion.
Synonyms: extortionately, coercively, oppressively, rapaciously, greedily
Antonyms: generously, charitably, philanthropically
Examples of Use
Books
"The Godfather" by Mario Puzo: The novel is filled with examples of extortion, as the Corleone family uses threats and violence to extort money from businesses and individuals.
"The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett: The story centers around a private detective who is involved in a plot to steal a valuable artifact, which involves extortion and blackmail.
Newspapers
The New York Times: "Federal prosecutors accused Mr. [Name] of extortion, alleging that he demanded bribes from businesses in exchange for favorable treatment."
The Washington Post: "The [Name] government has been accused of extorting money from foreign investors, threatening to seize their assets if they do not comply."
Online Publications
The Atlantic: "The rise of online extortion has made it increasingly difficult for individuals and businesses to protect themselves from cybercrime."
Vice: "The article discusses the phenomenon of sextortion, where individuals are blackmailed into paying money to prevent the release of explicit images or videos."
Entertainment Media and Platforms
Movies: "The Wolf of Wall Street" portrays a culture of greed and corruption, including scenes of extortion and blackmail.
Television: Shows like "Breaking Bad" and "The Sopranos" often feature characters involved in extortion schemes.
Video Games: Some games, such as "Grand Theft Auto," allow players to engage in criminal activities, including extortion.
General Public Discourse
News reports: News outlets frequently cover stories about extortion cases, from local incidents to international scandals.
Social media: People often discuss extortion on social media platforms, sharing personal experiences or discussing news stories related to the topic.
Conversations: Extortion is a topic that can come up in everyday conversations, especially when discussing current events or social issues.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Extortion
"War is organized murder, and torture, and extortion." — John Percy
"Extortion is just the price some people pay for power." — Anonymous
"All politics are based on the indifference of the majority and the extortion of power by a few." — James Baldwin
"When fear is used as a weapon, extortion becomes a way of life." — Anonymous
"What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature—and often a legal form of extortion?" — Anonymous
"The powerful don’t negotiate. They extort compliance." — Anonymous
"Extortion is a crime not just when the law says so, but when it undermines trust between people." — Anonymous
"Business becomes extortion when profits are valued over people." — Anonymous
"A fair exchange is no robbery; extortion, however, thrives where need outweighs fairness." — Anonymous
"Corruption is a form of extortion—one that preys on vulnerability and need." — Anonymous
These quotes reflect the use of "extortion" in both literal and figurative contexts, highlighting its connection to power, fear, corruption, and manipulation.
Etymology
Extortion comes from the Latin word "extorsio," which means "twisting" or "wringing out." This is because extortion involves forcing or "twisting" money or other things from someone, often through threats or violence.
The word first appeared in English around the 14th century, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent over time. It has always referred to the act of obtaining something by force or threats.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Extortion
Note: While "extortion" is a relatively common word, it's not as frequently used in idiomatic expressions as some other terms. However, here are a few phrases and idioms that involve extortion or related concepts:
"To shake someone down": This means to extort money from someone through threats or blackmail.
"To squeeze someone for money": Similar to "shake someone down," this phrase suggests extorting money from someone.
"To put the squeeze on someone": This means to apply pressure on someone, often to obtain something from them.
"To extort a confession": This refers to forcing someone to admit to a crime through threats or coercion.
"A protection racket": This is a scheme where individuals or groups extort money from businesses or individuals in exchange for protection.
"To play hardball": This means to be aggressive or uncompromising, often in a way that involves extortion or coercion.
Additional Phrases and Idioms
While these phrases don't directly use the word "extortion," they convey similar meanings:
"To strong-arm someone": This means to use force or intimidation to get someone to do something.
"To hold someone over a barrel": This means to have someone in a position of power or control.
"To put the screws to someone": This means to apply pressure on someone, often to obtain something from them.
"To bleed someone dry": This means to take advantage of someone financially.
"To fleece someone": This means to cheat someone out of money.
Why Fewer Idioms with "Extortion"?
The word "extortion" is more concrete and less figurative than many other words that are commonly used in idioms. It's a relatively straightforward term that describes a specific action, rather than a more abstract concept. As a result, it's less likely to appear in idiomatic expressions that rely on metaphors and symbolism.
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Source Information
Definition of extortion from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
