Standard Lemma guide

exaction

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ɪɡˈzækʃən/
  • CMU ARPABET: IH0 G Z AE1 K SH AH0 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • the exaction to tribute or of obedience

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

extortion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

That which is exacted; a severe tribute; a fee, reward, or contribution, demanded or levied with severity or injustice.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

act of demanding or levying by force or authority

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • exaction of tribute
  • exaction of various dues and fees

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: demand

Narrower terms: extortion

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: изискване (iziskvane) — the act of demanding with authority
  • Middle English: exaccioun — the act of demanding with authority
  • Romanian: forțare, acțiune de intimidare — the act of demanding with authority
  • Romanian: impunere — the act of demanding with authority
  • Spanish: exacción — the act of demanding with authority
  • Romanian: extorsiune — that which is exacted
  • Spanish: exacción — a fee, reward, or contribution, demanded or levied with severity or injustice