exaction

E1X8A1C3T1I1O1N1
/ɪɡˈzækʃən/

noun

The act of demanding with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; compulsion to give or furnish; a levying by force

“the exaction to tribute or of obedience”

OriginMiddle English exaccioun ← Middle French exaction ← Latin exāctiō →
UncommonScrabble 17
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Meanings

nounexaction (countable and uncountable, plural exactions)

plural exactions

  1. countableuncountableThe act of demanding with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; compulsion to give or furnish; a levying by force

    the exaction to tribute or of obedience

  2. countableuncountableextortion.
  3. countableuncountableThat which is exacted; a severe tribute; a fee, reward, or contribution, demanded or levied with severity or injustice.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
tax

Origin

  1. Latinexāctiō
  2. Middle Frenchexaction
  3. Middle Englishexaccioun
  4. Englishexaction

From Middle English exaccioun, exaccion, from Middle French exaction, from Old French, from Latin exāctiō.

More words from Middle English, Middle French, Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian изискване
  • изискване (iziskvane)the act of demanding with authority
Romanian forțare, acțiune de intimidare, impunere
  • forțare, acțiune de intimidarethe act of demanding with authority
  • impunerethe act of demanding with authority
  • extorsiunethat which is exacted
Spanish exacción, exacción
  • exacciónthe act of demanding with authority
  • exaccióna fee, reward, or contribution, demanded or levied with severity or injustice

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

cinoxate
Cite this entry
APA

exaction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/exaction

MLA

“exaction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/exaction. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “exaction,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/exaction.

Source: exaction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.