especially: a fee, reward, or contribution demanded or levied with severity or injustice
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThat 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