extorted
Took by threats
Extorted is the past tense of extort—to obtain something, typically money, through force, threats, or intimidation.
The word implies coercion rather than voluntary exchange: He extorted thousands from local businesses by threatening violence.
What's extorted is usually money or favors, and the extorter typically exploits a position of power or knowledge of damaging secrets.
Made to occur unwillingly
- compelledMade to act
- pressuredUrged with insistence
- duressCoercion through threats
- constrainedForced into narrow limits
unwilling · involuntary · reluctant · subjugated · overpowered · strong-armed · arm-twisted · browbeaten
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
payola · protection money · embezzlement · malfeasance · fraud · cronyism · profiteering · sleaze
Payment for captive's release
- hush moneyPayment to ensure secrecy
- secretsConcealed information
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
- dossierFile of personal information
payoff · silence · scandal · evidence · concealment · leverage · demands · victim
Non-negotiable final terms
- menaceSource of potential harm
- warningAlert about danger
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
repercussions · hostage · danger · penalty · intimidation · terrorizing · fearmongering · bullying
forced
Made to occur unwillingly
constrained · unwilling · involuntary · reluctant · subjugated · overpowered · strong-armed · arm-twisted · browbeaten · bulldozed
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
shakedown · payola · protection money · embezzlement · malfeasance · fraud · cronyism · profiteering · sleaze · venality
ransom
Payment for captive's release
- hush moneyPayment to ensure secrecy
- secretsConcealed information
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
dossier · payoff · silence · scandal · evidence · concealment · leverage · demands · victim · blackmailer
ultimatum
Non-negotiable final terms
- menaceSource of potential harm
- warningAlert about danger
- consequencesResults of actions taken
retaliation · repercussions · hostage · danger · penalty · intimidation · terrorizing · fearmongering · bullying · harassment
payment
Fulfilling a financial obligation
- protectionGuarding against harm
- exactionForcible collection of dues
- levyCompulsory government charge
tax · toll · fee · demand · squeeze · tithe · contribution · payoff · bribe · cut
- wrongedabused, mistreated, victimized, exploited, oppressed
extorteddonated
Gave as a gift
volunteered · gifted · contributed · bestowed · granted
extortedforfeited
Lost through violation
surrendered · relinquished · gave up · sacrificed · yielded
- extortion ringCriminal conspiracy demanding payments
- cyber extortionOnline threats demanding payment
extort, extortion, extortionate, extortionist, extorts, extorting, extortioner, extortionary, extortioners