exact

¹ex·act

transitive verb \ig-ˈzakt\

Definition of EXACT

1

: to call for forcibly or urgently and obtain <from them has been exacted the ultimate sacrifice — D. D. Eisenhower>

2

: to call for as necessary or desirable

— ex·act·able \-ˈzak-tə-bəl\ adjective

— ex·ac·tor also ex·act·er \-ˈzak-tər\ noun

Examples of EXACT

1. They would not rest until they had exacted revenge.
2. He was able to exact a promise from them.

Origin of EXACT

Middle English, to require as payment, from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere to drive out, demand, measure, from ex- + agere to drive — more at agent

First Known Use: 1564

Related to EXACT

Synonyms

call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, enjoin, demand, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for)

Antonyms

remit

Related Words

ask, plead (for), request, want; cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant; requisition; impose; badger, dun, harass, hound

Near Antonyms

give up, relinquish, surrender, yield

See Synonym Discussion at demand

Rhymes with EXACT

abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked

²exact

adjective

Definition of EXACT

1

: exhibiting or marked by strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact or a standard

2

: marked by thorough consideration or minute measurement of small factual details

— ex·act·ness \-ˈzak(t)-nəs\ noun

Examples of EXACT

1. Those were his exact words.
2. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
3. We don't know the exact nature of the problem.
4. Predicting the path of hurricanes is not an exact science.
5. The police have an exact description of the killer.
6. Please take the most exact measurements possible.
7. He is very exact in the way he solves a problem.

Origin of EXACT

Latin exactus

First Known Use: 1533

Related to EXACT

Synonyms

accurate, bang on [chiefly British], dead-on, correct, good, on-target, precise, proper, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious

Antonyms

false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong

Related Words

legitimate, logical, sound, valid; errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect; rigorous, strict, stringent

Near Antonyms

defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

See Synonym Discussion at correct