as in levies
a payment that must be made to the government in order to import or export certain goods
The Townshend Acts, which imposed a tariff on many goods imported to North America, indirectly led to the American Revolution.
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Recent Examples of tariffs
Lower gas prices in recent months helped offset rising costs for essentials like groceries and housing, as well as higher prices in goods categories such as apparel and furniture, where tariffs have already pushed costs higher.
—
Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
This market emerged in earnest last fall, following the Supreme Court deciding to hear the case against IEEPA tariffs in September, signalling to speculators there was a real shot of the tariffs being struck down.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, was up 24% and hit its highest level since April, when markets were roiled by uncertainty about tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The government estimates that it's collected some $166 billion from more than 330,000 businesses in tariffs that the Supreme Court has now found unconstitutional.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
A lot of businesses have also learned how to offset the costs of the tariffs, often by passing them along to customers via higher prices.
—Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
His economic policy, including the fluctuating tariffs, only benefits himself and the wealthy while punishing workers and taxpayers.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
One impact likely to be felt in the first quarter in the impact from tariffs.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
The absence of guidance from the Supreme Court on handling refunds or the immediate imposition of tariffs under a different authority does not diminish the rights of importers to recoup their payments.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
This market emerged in earnest last fall, following the Supreme Court deciding to hear the case against IEEPA tariffs in September, signalling to speculators there was a real shot of the tariffs being struck down.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, was up 24% and hit its highest level since April, when markets were roiled by uncertainty about tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
The government estimates that it's collected some $166 billion from more than 330,000 businesses in tariffs that the Supreme Court has now found unconstitutional.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
A lot of businesses have also learned how to offset the costs of the tariffs, often by passing them along to customers via higher prices.
—Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
His economic policy, including the fluctuating tariffs, only benefits himself and the wealthy while punishing workers and taxpayers.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
One impact likely to be felt in the first quarter in the impact from tariffs.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
The absence of guidance from the Supreme Court on handling refunds or the immediate imposition of tariffs under a different authority does not diminish the rights of importers to recoup their payments.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tariffs
Noun
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Howard Lutnick was an early champion of tariffs who advocated for the levies to replace some income taxes.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Even with those levies, China nudged a record trade surplus last year by pivoting to other markets.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The handsome Lieutenant Portuondo (Adam Poss) regularly stops by for inspections as part of his military duties, but his growing attraction to Maria Celia soon leads to more informal encounters.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Next to him is guitarist Khrystian Ramos, focused and business-minded, balancing band duties with outside ventures that include a successful seafood business.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tariffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tariffs. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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