exact

¹ex·act

verb \ig-ˈzakt\

Definition of EXACT

transitive verb

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 all synonyms and antonyms

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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