extortion
gb/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/ us/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
B2
English
zsarolás, lehúzás
NOUN
C1
LEGAL
1
zsarolás
B2
Usage pattern:
extortion of [money/property] from [someone]; commit extortion; charges of extortion
Prosecutors said the official used his position to demand payments in an extortion scheme.
Az ügyészek szerint a tisztviselő a pozícióját kihasználva pénzt követelt egy zsarolási rendszer részeként.
The gang was arrested for extortion after threatening shop owners who refused to pay.
A bandát zsarolás miatt tartóztatták le, miután megfenyegették azokat a bolttulajdonosokat, akik nem voltak hajlandók fizetni.
She reported the extortion attempt to the police and kept the messages as evidence.
Learner examples
Extortion is a serious crime.
A zsarolás súlyos bűncselekmény.
He was charged with extortion.
Zsarolással vádolták meg.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse extortion with blackmail. Blackmail usually involves threatening to reveal secrets; extortion can involve many kinds of threats (including violence) or abuse of power.
Meaning
crime of getting money by threats
Collocations
commit extortion
|attempted extortion
|extortion charge
|extortion case
|extortion scheme
|extortion racket
|extortion attempt
|extortion threats
|convicted of extortion
|cyber extortion
Synonyms
blackmail (Often specifically a threat to reveal damaging information.)
|
shakedown (More informal; often implies street-level intimidation for money.)
|
coercion (Broader term for forcing someone to do something; not always a specific crime.)
Antonyms
voluntary payment (Money given freely without threats or pressure.)
|
gift (Something given willingly, not demanded through intimidation.)
Themes
crime
|law
|money
|violence
Definition
Extortion is the crime of making someone pay you by threatening them.
The crime of obtaining money, property, or an advantage from someone by using threats, force, intimidation, or abuse of authority.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
lehúzás
B1
Usage pattern:
[price/fee] is extortion; pay [an amount] for [something] is extortion
Paying $18 for a basic sandwich at the airport feels like extortion.
18 dollárt fizetni egy sima szendvicsért a repülőtéren már lehúzásnak érződik.
Many residents say the new “service fee” is just extortion by another name.
Sok lakos szerint az új „szolgáltatási díj” csak lehúzás más néven.
Some customers complained that the last-minute ticket prices amounted to extortion.
Learner examples
That price is extortion.
Az az ár kész lehúzás.
It feels like extortion to pay so much.
Lehúzásnak érződik, hogy ennyit kell fizetni.
Common mistake:
In this sense, it is usually exaggeration and does not mean an actual crime.
Meaning
unreasonably high price or demand
Collocations
pure extortion
|daylight extortion
|parking extortion
|fees that feel like extortion
|extortionate fee (adj.)
|extortionate prices (adj.)
|an act of extortion
|borderline extortion
|legalized extortion (hyperbole)
|it’s extortion
Synonyms
rip-off (Very common informal term for an unfairly high price.)
|
overcharging (More neutral; focuses on charging too much.)
|
price gouging (Often used when prices rise sharply during shortages or emergencies.)
Antonyms
bargain (A price that is unusually low or good value.)
|
fair price (A reasonable charge that matches normal value.)
Themes
money
|shopping
|daily_life
Definition
People say something is extortion when it costs far too much.
An unreasonably high charge or demand for money, often used as a strong, non-legal complaint about being overcharged.
Grammar
Dictionary form
extortion
IPA
GB/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
US/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
Syllables & stress
ex - tor - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: extortion
- Plural: extortion
Word family
Core family
extort
verb
extortionate
adjective
Related words
extortionist
noun
blackmail
noun
Advanced or less common
extortionately
adverb
Expressions
attempted extortion
1/ətˈɛmptɪd ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
trying to extort money
Attempted extortion means trying to force someone to pay, even if you fail.
Examples
- He was arrested for attempted extortion after sending threatening messages to a business owner.
- Prosecutors filed a charge of attempted extortion based on the recorded phone calls.
- The judge said the evidence supported attempted extortion, even though no money changed hands.
Learner examples
- He was charged with attempted extortion.
charge [someone] with extortion
1/t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɪθ ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
formally accuse of extortion
If police charge someone with extortion, they officially say the person committed that crime.
Examples
- Prosecutors charged him with extortion after he threatened to leak private photos.
- They charged two men with extortion and money laundering.
- The company’s former manager was charged with extortion for demanding kickbacks.
Learner examples
- Police charged her with extortion.
convicted of extortion
1/kənvˈɪktɪd əv ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
found guilty of extortion
If someone is convicted of extortion, a court decides they are guilty.
Examples
- He was convicted of extortion and sentenced to five years in prison.
- Two officials were convicted of extortion for demanding payments from contractors.
- She avoided trial by pleading guilty and was still convicted of extortion.
Learner examples
- He was convicted of extortion.
cyber extortion
1/sˈaɪbɚ ɛkstˈɔɹʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
online threats to force payment
Cyber extortion is extortion done online, often by hackers.
Examples
- The hospital faced cyber extortion after hackers encrypted its systems and demanded payment.
- Police warned businesses to report cyber extortion instead of negotiating with attackers.
- The leaked emails were used as part of a cyber extortion campaign.
Learner examples
- The company reported cyber extortion.
extortion racket
1/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən ɹˈækɪt/
fixed phrase
legal
organized scheme to extort money
An extortion racket is a group that regularly forces people to pay money with threats.
Examples
- Police said the group ran an extortion racket that targeted small restaurants.
- Several officers were accused of protecting an extortion racket in exchange for bribes.
- The trial focused on whether the payments were voluntary or part of an extortion racket.
Learner examples
- The gang ran an extortion racket.
- Police stopped the extortion racket.
extortion scheme
1/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən skˈim/
fixed phrase
legal
planned extortion operation
An extortion scheme is a plan to force people to pay money with threats.
Examples
- Investigators uncovered an extortion scheme that used fake invoices and threats.
- The indictment describes an extortion scheme targeting people who owed gambling debts.
- She admitted her role in the extortion scheme and agreed to cooperate.
Learner examples
- Police uncovered an extortion scheme.
extortion threat
1/ɛkstˈɔɹʃən θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
legal
threat used to demand payment
An extortion threat is a threat used to make someone pay money.
Examples
- The owner received an extortion threat demanding weekly payments.
- She saved the voicemail because it contained an extortion threat.
- The judge said the message could reasonably be read as an extortion threat.
Learner examples
- He received an extortion threat.