extortionist
Demands money menacingly
An extortionist obtains money or other benefits through threats, coercion, or intimidation.
The term applies both to criminals who threaten violence or exposure and to anyone perceived as demanding unreasonable payment: The mechanic quoted three thousand dollars—what an extortionist.
Also extortioner.
Coercion through damaging threats
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
coercion · strong-arm · leverage · ultimatum · hostage · protection racket · squeeze · arm-twisting
One who threatens exposure
- racketeerOrganized crime participant
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mobsterOrganized crime member
- kidnapperOne who seizes people
felon · fraudster · conman · scammer · mafioso · hoodlum · thug · loan shark
Excessive desire for wealth
- avariceExcessive desire for riches
- rapacityAggressive, seizing greed
- profitGain exceeding expenditure
- gainPositive return received
money-grubbing · exploitation · predatory · opportunism · ruthlessness · desperation · vengeance · power
Skilled at controlling others
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- remorselessLacking guilt or pity
scheming · predatory · sociopathic · cold-blooded · opportunistic · deceptive · intimidating · controlling
Object of pursuit
- markVisible impression or sign
- preyAnimal being hunted
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- business ownerSomeone running their enterprise
politician · celebrity · whistleblower · witness · debtor · compromised · fearful · trapped
blackmail
Coercion through damaging threats
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
intimidation · coercion · strong-arm · leverage · ultimatum · hostage · protection racket · squeeze · arm-twisting · duress
blackmailer
One who threatens exposure
- racketeerOrganized crime participant
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mobsterOrganized crime member
kidnapper · felon · fraudster · conman · scammer · mafioso · hoodlum · thug · loan shark · enforcer
greed
Excessive desire for wealth
gain · money-grubbing · exploitation · predatory · opportunism · ruthlessness · desperation · vengeance · power · control
manipulative
Skilled at controlling others
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
remorseless · scheming · predatory · sociopathic · cold-blooded · opportunistic · deceptive · intimidating · controlling · paranoid
target
Object of pursuit
- markVisible impression or sign
- preyAnimal being hunted
- vulnerableOpen to attack
business owner · politician · celebrity · whistleblower · witness · debtor · compromised · fearful · trapped · silenced
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
- lawbreakersthief, robber, burglar, vandal, smuggler
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
- cybercriminalshacker, hackers, scammer, scammers, phishers
- exploitersexploiter, predator, parasite, user, leech
- bloodsuckersmosquito, tick, flea, leech, bedbug
extortionistphilanthropist
Donor to charitable causes
benefactor · donor · giver · altruist · patron