What does extortionately mean?
Extortionately is an adverb meaning excessively, unfairly, or prohibitively high, especially when describing prices, fees, rents, or other demands. Its force is negative: it presents an amount or demand as so far beyond what is reasonable that it resembles an extraction by force or pressure. “Extortionately high” is a frequent pattern, while “extortionately expensive” describes a cost that is not merely costly but grotesquely excessive. Although the word is related to the legal offense of extortion, it is often used more broadly in business, finance, housing, and everyday criticism, where literal coercion need not be intended. It can also characterize demands, penalties, or conditions that are oppressive rather than simply strict. The adverb is more pointed than “very” or “extremely,” and usually more accusatory than “exorbitantly,” though the two overlap. Its usefulness lies in conveying outrage at an imbalance: a price, charge, or demand that leaves one person or group with little choice but to comply or pay. In formal and informal English alike, extortionately signals that the scale itself has become morally or economically suspect.
adverbIn an excessively or unfairly high degree, especially with prices, fees, rents, or other demands. It often suggests an amount so excessive that it resembles an extraction by coercion or pressure.
- In a manner that is excessively, unfairly, or prohibitively high, especially with prices, fees, rents, or demands.
"The landlord charged extortionately high rent, forcing many tenants to leave the neighborhood."
"The landlord raised the rent to an extortionately high level."
"The ticket included extortionately high service charges for a short journey."
From a Latin verb meaning “to twist out,” extortionately became a sharp English label for prices and demands that leave the payer little room to refuse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does extortionately come from?
Extortionately is formed from extortionate with the adverbial suffix -ly. Extortionate derives from extortion, which is ultimately from Latin extorquere, a compound of ex- meaning “out” and torquere meaning “to twist,” originally conveying the sense of twisting out or wringing out. The same root appears in English words such as extort, torque, and torture.
Related word forms
How extortionately is actually used
Formal but widely understood and strongly negative. It ordinarily conveys an allegation of unfairness, oppression, or excessive financial pressure, although in price contexts it is often broader than the legal meaning of extortion.
Easily confused with extortionately
Exorbitantly means excessively or beyond reasonable limits, whereas extortionately more strongly suggests unfairness, oppression, or an amount resembling what could be extracted by coercion.