Extort, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Extorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Extorting.]
Etymology: [L. extortus, p. p. of extorquere to twist or wrench out, to extort; ex out + torquere to turn about, twist. See Torsion.]
1. To wrest from an unwilling person by physical force, menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise of power or ingenuity; to wrench away (from); to tear away; to wring (from); to exact; as, to extort contributions from the vanquished; to extort confessions of guilt; to extort a promise; to extort payment of a debt.
2. (Law)
To get by the offense of extortion. See Extortion, 2.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Extort, v. i.
To practice extortion. [Obs.] Spenser.
Extort, p. p. & a.
Extorted. [Obs.] Spenser.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists extort only as an antonym, under ask.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.