exaction

noun

ex·​ac·​tion ig-ˈzak-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of exacting

b

: extortion

2

: something exacted

especially : a fee, reward, or contribution demanded or levied with severity or injustice

Examples of exaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These are inherently inflationary, because the exaction to create the lower prices gets offset with higher rents or prices elsewhere in the project to rationalize the losses. —Roger Valdez, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

That bizarre approach lent itself to a Fincher-esque level of exaction while prompting interesting artistic questions. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2020

Command of an army division could be purchased for $2 million, whereupon the buyer might recoup his investment with exactions from the civilian population. —Andrew Cockburn, Harper's magazine, 10 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exaccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French exaccion, borrowed from Latin exāctiōn-, exāctiō "driving out, demanding of payment," from exigere "to drive out, enforce payment of or the performance of (a task)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at exact entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a