ikˈstȯ(ə)r]t, ek-, -ȯ(ə)], usu ]d.+V\ verb
( extorted ; extorted or obs extort ; extorting ; extorts )
Etymology: Latin extortus, past participle of extorquēre to wrench out, obtain by force, extort, from ex- ex- (I) + torquēre to twist — more at torture
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to obtain from an unwilling or reluctant person by physical force, intimidation, or the abuse of legal or official authority : get by compelling : force , exact
till the injurious Romans did extort this tribute from us we were free — Shakespeare
extort bribes
(2) : to obtain from an unwilling or reluctant person by importunity, argument, or ingenuity
extort a confession
she did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged — Jane Austen
extorted his resignation in exchange — Seymour Freidin
b. : to elicit from someone unwilling by the obvious or apparent existence of an intrinsic compelling force
his intelligence extorted the admiration even of his worst enemies
2. : to derive (as a meaning or conclusion) by strained or perverse reasoning
they extorted a bizarre sense from the few words that had been spoken
intransitive verb
archaic : to obtain something forcibly from someone unwilling
Synonyms: see educe