These two verbs both have the prefix ex- (meaning “out”) but have very different meanings, though both refer to getting something out of someone—in two different senses.
Exhort means to strongly urge someone to do something—to get an action out of them.
Extort means to get anything—usually money—out of someone, by threatening them in some way.
Some dictionaries may define exhort as “encourage;” however, exhort is stronger than “encourage”—it’s closer to “beg” or “demand” and may imply arguments or other forceful appeals:
Many people exhorted him to quit smoking, but Jake was set in his ways.
Extortion (the noun form of extort) is an official term for the criminal offense of “getting something out of someone through threats of force or punishment.” Extortion is not simply using force, such as, for example, by breaking into someone’s house and stealing something. The idea of a threat, and of making the victim themselves give the extorter what the extorter wants, are essential parts of the meaning of extort. Extortion is most common in organized crime:
The mob extorted money from politicians by threatening to reveal their secrets.
It’s easy to see how these words can be confused in context; they are both about getting someone to do something, with forceful appeals. But to exhort is positive and harmless, while to extort is unfair and a crime.
More Examples of How to Use “Exhort” in a Sentence
- The controversial news host exhorted the people to take back their land.
- The governor tried exhorting the prisoners to stop the fighting, which had plagued the prison complex in recent months.
- A good teacher will exhort their class to achieve the course objectives with diligence.
- Jeremy, the new chairperson, exhorted the party volunteers to action.
- Even though Rebecca tried exhorting the public to support the cause, popular sentiment against her.
More Examples of How to Use “Extort” in a Sentence
- The criminals extorted a hefty amount of money from their victims, before disappearing.
- John was arrested last year and charged with attempting to extort one million dollars from his ex-girlfriend’s company.
- Police were accused of extorting a false confession from Peter, who was accused of the bombing.
- The kidnapper called and extorted $20,000 from the traumatized parents as ransom to free their child.
- Some magistrates misused their power of arrest for extorting confessions.