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extorsión

extortion

noun ehks-tohr-SYOHN Rare

Origin: Latin extortio, from extorquere (to wring out).

Usage Note

Extorsión is the legal and common term for extortion: obtaining money or compliance through threats. The verb is extorsionar and the agent noun is extorsionista. It is distinct from chantaje (blackmail), which specifically uses compromising information as leverage, whereas extorsión may involve any kind of coercion.

Examples

"Fue detenido por extorsión a varios comerciantes."

Natural Translation

He was arrested for extorting several shopkeepers.

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