extortionate prices

USAGE SUMMARY

"extortionate prices" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means prices that are unreasonably high and often used to describe unfair or inflated pricing. Example: "The hotel charged extortionate prices for a basic room during peak tourist season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Government has no real tools to curb extortionate prices.

The New York Times

A record company that doesn't know whether to charge extortionate prices or give music away?

The New Yorker

"People just don't want to pay extortionate prices for hotels," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Copies are being traded at extortionate prices, well above the official €59.

Independent

Another way round the extortionate prices is to consider a home swap.

The Guardian - Travel

Water from standpipes is sold at extortionate prices by landlords in league with local politicians and bureaucrats.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Unless, that is, he was asking an extortionate price".

The New York Times

The notoriously high cost of living hits students hard, and many of us live in poor accommodation at extortionate price.

Independent

The other week, while enduring the white noise and extortionate pricing policy that passes for a Friday night out at the local pub, I met a snooty type.

The Guardian - Money

Organisation has also crumbled somewhat with, remarkably, no one checking our tickets at any stage of the process, making the extortionate price tag even more galling.

The Guardian - Film

In London, if you were to ask for a treble, it is likely that the bartender would look at you like you were crazy, and then charge an extortionate price.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extortionate prices" when you want to emphasize the unfairness or unreasonableness of the high cost. The phrase carries a stronger negative connotation than simply saying "high prices".

Common error

While "extortionate prices" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "exorbitant prices" or "excessive prices" in professional or academic writing to maintain a neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extortionate prices" functions as a noun phrase, where "extortionate" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "prices". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extortionate prices" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that costs are unreasonably high. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts, mainly in news and media, but also academic writing. While widely accepted, consider using synonyms such as "exorbitant prices" in formal settings to avoid overly negative connotations. The phrase effectively serves to criticize and highlight perceived unfairness in pricing practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exorbitant prices

Replaces "extortionate" with a synonym emphasizing the unreasonableness of the price.

excessive prices

A more general term that indicates prices are beyond what is reasonable or justifiable.

inflated prices

Suggests prices have been artificially increased, often beyond their true value.

unreasonable prices

Directly states that the prices are not fair or logical.

outrageous prices

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the high prices.

sky-high prices

A more figurative way to describe very high prices, suggesting they are almost impossibly expensive.

prohibitive prices

Highlights that the prices are so high they prevent people from buying the product or service.

rip-off prices

An informal term indicating that the prices are a form of exploitation.

highway robbery

An idiomatic expression comparing the prices to theft.

astronomical prices

A more dramatic way to describe extremely high prices, implying they are vast and immeasurable.

FAQs

How can I use "extortionate prices" in a sentence?

You can use "extortionate prices" to describe goods or services that are priced unfairly high. For example, "During the festival, hotels charged "extortionate prices" for rooms".

What's a good substitute for "extortionate prices"?

Alternatives include "exorbitant prices", "excessive prices", or "inflated prices", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "extortionate prices" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "extortionate prices" carries a strong negative connotation. In formal contexts, consider using "exorbitant prices" or "unreasonable prices" to maintain a more neutral tone.

What is the difference between "extortionate prices" and "high prices"?

"High prices" simply indicates that the cost is elevated. "Extortionate prices" implies that the prices are unfairly and unreasonably high, often suggesting exploitation or unethical practices.