extort
Squeeze through threats
To extort is to obtain something—usually money—through force, threats, or abuse of power.
The threat may be physical harm, exposure of secrets, or misuse of official authority: The gang extorted protection money from local businesses.
Extortion differs from robbery in relying on intimidation rather than direct taking.
Someone who extorts is an extortionist.
Coercion through damaging threats
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- pressureForce upon contact
squeeze · leverage · strong-arm · force · compel · bully · arm-twist · browbeat
Conducting illegal business schemes
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
embezzlement · money laundering · organized crime · felony · malfeasance · loansharking · protection racket · ransom
Excessive desire for wealth
- avariceExcessive desire for riches
- rapacityAggressive, seizing greed
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- profiteeringExploiting scarcity for gain
opportunism · gain · enrichment · money-grubbing · mercenary · predatory · selfish · ruthless
Animal being hunted
- targetObject of pursuit
- markVisible impression or sign
- hostageCaptive held as security
- vulnerableOpen to attack
powerless · exploited · trapped · desperate · compromised · silenced · fearful · intimidated
blackmail
Coercion through damaging threats
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- coerceObtain by intimidation
pressure · squeeze · leverage · strong-arm · force · compel · bully · arm-twist · browbeat · muscle
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
fraud · embezzlement · money laundering · organized crime · felony · malfeasance · loansharking · protection racket · ransom · hush money
greed
Excessive desire for wealth
- avariceExcessive desire for riches
- rapacityAggressive, seizing greed
- exploitationSelfish use of others
profiteering · opportunism · gain · enrichment · money-grubbing · mercenary · predatory · selfish · ruthless · unscrupulous
prey
Animal being hunted
vulnerable · powerless · exploited · trapped · desperate · compromised · silenced · fearful · intimidated · threatened
- extortionshakedown, shake down, blackmail letter, ransom, protection money
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- exploitationexploit, predatory, sex trafficking, take advantage, human trafficking
- extortion ringCriminal conspiracy demanding payments
- cyber extortionOnline threats demanding payment
extortion, extortionist, extorted, extorts, extorting, extorter, extortionary, extortioners