extortionate
extortionate — adjective
1. much more expensive than is reasonable or fair, often in a way that seems dishon
much more expensive than is reasonable or fair, often in a way that seems dishonest
The only hotel in town charged extortionate rates after all the others closed down.
collocation: extortionate rates / extortionate prices
Lakshmi refused to pay the extortionate fee the mechanic charged for a simple repair.
collocation: extortionate fee
Chidi thought the restaurant's extortionate charges for bottled water were unfair.
Tenants said their new landlord demanded extortionate rent increases every six months.
Hao was quoted an extortionate fare for a short taxi ride into the city.
- exorbitant
Very close in meaning and formality; 'exorbitant' is slightly more neutral, while 'extortionate' more strongly suggests unfairness or dishonesty.
- outrageous
Adds a note of moral shock; suggests the price is not just high but shockingly unfair. Less specific to pricing than 'extortionate'.
- inflated
Suggests the price has been pushed up artificially or unreasonably, often compared to a normal baseline.
- prohibitive
Focuses on the result — the cost is so high that it prevents people from buying or doing something.
- reasonable
A fair and sensible price that most people would accept.
- affordable
Within most people's financial reach; opposite of 'prohibitive' or 'extortionate'.
文法句型
extortionate + noun (price, fee, rent, charge)
be + extortionate
用法筆記
Frequently used to describe prices, fees, rents, or charges that the speaker considers unfair. Stronger and more emotive than 'expensive' or 'costly'; the word carries a moral judgment that the cost is not just high but unreasonable.