sextortion
noun
sex·tor·tion
ˌsek-ˈstȯr-shən 
: extortion in which a perpetrator threatens to expose sexually compromising information (such as sexually explicit private images or videos of the victim) unless the victim meets certain demands
Sextortion is when an online predator tricks someone into giving them nude images or videos, and then demands money, more images, or makes other demands—threatening to share the images with the victim's friends and family if they don't comply.—
bradfordtoday.ca
bradfordtoday.caSextortion is a crime that is now sweeping the web, from organized criminal groups operating overseas to cyber-bullies at the local high school.—The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)
The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)Two male high school students in an Allegan County school district were recent victims of sextortion—a form of online sexual exploitation that typically occurs against kids ages 10-17.—Sherri Kolade
Sherri KoladeDeling used text messages and social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik and Skype, in the sextortion scheme against girls between the ages of 11 and 17, prosecutors say.—Chacour Koop
Chacour KoopExamples of sextortion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The program, called The Keys, aims to educate teens about bullying, illicit drug activity, nude and intimate images and sextortion through a course that takes inspiration from driver’s education, the company said in a press release.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Indeed, intimate image abuse and sextortion are all too common.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The number of reports of online enticement, a category that includes sextortion, grew by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Justice Department says Last's death showed the pervasiveness of international criminals in sextortion schemes.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sextortion
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Julia Shapero, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Indeed, intimate image abuse and sextortion are all too common.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The number of reports of online enticement, a category that includes sextortion, grew by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Justice Department says Last's death showed the pervasiveness of international criminals in sextortion schemes.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sextortion
Cite this Entry
“Sextortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sextortion. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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