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."

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.

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Extortion

1. "War is organized murder, and torture, and extortion." — John Percy

2. "Extortion is just the price some people pay for power." — Anonymous

3. "All politics are based on the indifference of the majority and the extortion of power by a few." — James Baldwin

4. "When fear is used as a weapon, extortion becomes a way of life." — Anonymous

5. "What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature—and often a legal form of extortion?" — Anonymous

6. "The powerful don’t negotiate. They extort compliance." — Anonymous

7. "Extortion is a crime not just when the law says so, but when it undermines trust between people." — Anonymous

8. "Business becomes extortion when profits are valued over people." — Anonymous

9. "A fair exchange is no robbery; extortion, however, thrives where need outweighs fairness." — Anonymous

10. "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.

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:

1. "To shake someone down": This means to extort money from someone through threats or blackmail.

2. "To squeeze someone for money": Similar to "shake someone down," this phrase suggests extorting money from someone.

3. "To put the squeeze on someone": This means to apply pressure on someone, often to obtain something from them.

4. "To extort a confession": This refers to forcing someone to admit to a crime through threats or coercion.

5. "A protection racket": This is a scheme where individuals or groups extort money from businesses or individuals in exchange for protection.

6. "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.

Posts Related to Extortion

Source Information

Definition of extortion from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.