Basic Details
Word: Extort
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To get something by force or threats.
Synonyms: Blackmail, Coerce, Extract
Antonyms: Give, Donate, Offer
Idioms and Phrases
- Extortion for a song: To get something for a very low price or with minimal effort. Example: "He managed to get that vintage car for a song."
- Extort a confession: To force someone to admit something, often through pressure or threats. Example: "The detective was accused of trying to extort a confession from the suspect."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The criminals tried to extort money from the business owner by threatening him.
Example 2: It is illegal to extort information from someone by using fear or intimidation.
Example 3: The jury had to determine if the accused had attempted to extort the elderly couple.
Fun Fact
The word "extort" comes from the Latin word "extortus," which means "to twist out." This reflects the idea of twisting someone's arm to get what you want.
Famous Quote
"It's the fear of losing that drives people to extort." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "extort" mean?
a) To give freely
b) To get something by force or threats
c) To speak politely
d) To ask nicely
Answer: b) To get something by force or threats
2. Which of these is a synonym of "extort"?
a) Donate
b) Offer
c) Blackmail
d) Share
Answer: c) Blackmail
3. What is an antonym of "extort"?
a) Coerce
b) Give
c) Force
d) Extract
Answer: b) Give
4. Which sentence uses "extort" correctly?
a) They decided to extort their kindness with gifts.
b) It is wrong to extort someone for personal gain.
c) She extorted her victory with a loud cheer.
d) The child extorted their friend with laughter.
Answer: b) It is wrong to extort someone for personal gain.
5. What does the idiom "extort a confession" mean?
a) To celebrate a victory
b) To force someone to admit something
c) To keep a secret
d) To ask for help
Answer: b) To force someone to admit something
