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
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Recent Examples of exacts
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
All the other cord cutting exacts its pound of flesh!
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
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
All the other cord cutting exacts its pound of flesh!
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacts
Verb
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Responsibility is a group effort For Ahmet Öksüz, chairman of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association, the need for systemic transformation is no longer some future-facing hypothetical, but rather an existential imperative that demands both innovation and conscience.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The motion demands materials be returned to Fulton County.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The directive also prohibits federal immigration agents from using city property and imposes a fee on owners who allow federal agents to use private property.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Texas imposes a 10% cap for lending to people in that state.—
Carter Dougherty,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Demonstrating that government can take care of the basics while accomplishing big things, which requires following through on our commitment to invest in critical needs like water, connectivity, and healthcare.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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The agency requires its divisions, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, to train officers in de-escalation techniques and to use force only after a verbal warning, if possible, and a chance to comply.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Instead, in order to protect their identities, their words are read aloud during re-enactments by powerhouse actresses such as Emma Thompson (who squeezes herself beneath an axle) and Kate Dickie (performing, as the nurse, on all fours on Kenmure Street itself).—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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