extort
Definitions
To obtain money, property, or a favour from someone by force or threats.
勒索，敲诈，强取（钱财、好处等）。
To force a confession, promise, or information out of someone under pressure.
（在压力下）逼取（口供、承诺、信息）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedex- (out) + tort (twist) = 'twist out of someone.' Picture wringing a person like a cloth until money, a signature, or a confession comes out. The twisting-out image is what makes extort coercive — it always involves threat or force, never a polite request.
Root tort still carries 27 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.extort money勒索钱财
- 2.extort a confession逼取口供
- 3.extort protection money勒索保护费
- 4.attempt to extort企图敲诈
Example Sentences
- 1.
The gang tried to extort money from local shop owners.
- 2.
He was accused of extorting a confession through threats.
- 3.
They extorted huge sums by threatening to leak the photos.
Easily Confused
extort vs extract — both 'get out,' but extort (tort = twist) uses threat or force and is a crime; extract (tract = pull) is a neutral 'pull out' (extract a tooth, extract data). Coercion → extort; clean removal → extract.