1
as in demands
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
every war inevitably exacts the greatest sacrifice possible from some of the nation's best and brightest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imposes
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
vowed to exact a heavy fine from any hockey player engaging in such outrageous behavior on the ice
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exacts
Colonialization exacts a heavy toll.
—
Taylor Crumpton, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
But the Seahawks and their passionate fans will take it; this title represents Seattle's second Super Bowl triumph and exacts a measure of revenge for the heart-wrenching, last-second defeat in Super Bowl 49.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Could the Golden Globes be where Kathy exacts her revenge?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite the toll Bug exacts, however, Coon is in exceptionally good humor—if with the blinking optimism of a new year in an unstable reality.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
Other parts are compressed by what's essentially a really big squishing machine, far taller than a person, that exacts a precise amount of pressure on a tiny metal sensor.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Afghanistan is, once again, under a Taliban regime that exacts even more extreme restrictions than those of Anjuman’s childhood.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
However, mythmaking exacts costs on our understanding of the past.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
One game for the division (and the division’s one playoff spot)… And Seattle exacts revenge for 2019.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Taylor Crumpton, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
But the Seahawks and their passionate fans will take it; this title represents Seattle's second Super Bowl triumph and exacts a measure of revenge for the heart-wrenching, last-second defeat in Super Bowl 49.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Could the Golden Globes be where Kathy exacts her revenge?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite the toll Bug exacts, however, Coon is in exceptionally good humor—if with the blinking optimism of a new year in an unstable reality.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
Other parts are compressed by what's essentially a really big squishing machine, far taller than a person, that exacts a precise amount of pressure on a tiny metal sensor.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Afghanistan is, once again, under a Taliban regime that exacts even more extreme restrictions than those of Anjuman’s childhood.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
However, mythmaking exacts costs on our understanding of the past.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
One game for the division (and the division’s one playoff spot)… And Seattle exacts revenge for 2019.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacts
Verb
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As well as valuing the pace that helps his wingers exploit spaces out wide, Rosenior’s style also demands those players drop deeper to help build play.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Erik demands the locker room because of his voice.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Californians pay the highest gasoline prices in the country because the state imposes the costliest taxes and mandates.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Florida law imposes the 15 mph speed limit 30 minutes before a school’s arrival or dismissal time — and 30 minutes after, too.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That requires short, sharp passing and strength in tight spaces.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Although the primary job of Bureau of Reclamation is to operate dams to supply water and power, the Grand Canyon Protection Act requires it to balance those needs with environmental protection.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any tariff shift moves shipping volumes, squeezes supply chains, and eventually nudges consumer prices — but those ripples take time to reach shelves and paychecks.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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All this requires a lot of power, which puts a strain on the grid and squeezes local resources.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There is a premonitory moment, too, in this book that wrings so much drama from so many backdoor meetings.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Austen wrings a great deal of humor from Lady Bertram’s dopey languor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacts. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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