exaction
/ɪɡˈzækʃən/
"exaction" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“exaction” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a noun - the kind of word writers most often double-check.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 8
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The act of demanding with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; compulsion to give or furnish; a levying by force
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | exaction |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| IPA | /ɪɡˈzækʃən/ |
| Letters | 8 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “exaction” sits in English frequency
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
The English entry for exaction is 8 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɪɡˈzækʃən/. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.
We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for exaction, typically a sign the spelling maps closely to how the word sounds. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.
Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English exaccioun, exaccion, from Middle French exaction, from Old French, from Latin exāctiō. The correct English form is exaction, spelled E-X-A-C-T-I-O-N.
Definition
- 1The act of demanding with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; compulsion to give or furnish; a levying by force
- 2extortion.
- 3That which is exacted; a severe tribute; a fee, reward, or contribution, demanded or levied with severity or injustice.
Etymology
From Middle English exaccioun, exaccion, from Middle French exaction, from Old French, from Latin exāctiō.
This word in other languages
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you spell "exaction"?
What does "exaction" mean?
How do you pronounce "exaction"?
What is the origin of the word "exaction"?
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Using “exaction”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is E-X-A-C-T-I-O-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
- Say it as /ɪɡˈzækʃən/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
- Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source
Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.