exact 1 of 2

1
2
as in precise
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent the exact number of passengers on that airplane was 147

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5

exact

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to demand
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to extort
to get (as money) by the use of force or threats that loan shark can be counted upon to exact repayment of his loan by whatever means necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word exact different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of exact are accurate, correct, nice, precise, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

In what contexts can accurate take the place of exact?

The synonyms accurate and exact are sometimes interchangeable, but accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When could correct be used to replace exact?

In some situations, the words correct and exact are roughly equivalent. However, correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When would nice be a good substitute for exact?

The words nice and exact can be used in similar contexts, but nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How do precise and exact relate to one another?

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

How are the words right and correct related as synonyms of exact?

Right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exact
Adjective
Although the fire is suspected to be human-caused, there is no information available on the exact action that triggered it. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025 Alo Yoga has an entire shop packed with burgundy clothing, including the exact pieces Jenner, a brand ambassador, is wearing in her Instagram photo. Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
By season 1's conclusion, Fisk has taken over the city's government as mayor, locked away any potential threats to his power in a secret prison, installed his own shadow force of corrupt cops to exact his will, outlawed vigilanteism, and declared martial law. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025 Aggrieved and pained, Mary returns from the grave to exact revenge on anyone who steps inside her family home. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
Adjective
  • The game gives players six attempts to guess a five-letter word, receiving feedback through colored tiles that indicate correct letters and their placement.
    Peter White, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Another virtual orange door would appear upon entering the correct phrase into Google.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These electrodes detect and transmit neural activity, translating brain signals into precise digital commands, such as cursor movements, typing, or controlling external devices.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The precise mechanics now accepted as holding back player development in the States — the pay-to-play model at youth level, the limitations of MLS — were not really considered.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The display is bright, resulting in accurate and vibrant colors.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the Lions’ offensive linemen do an excellent job of selling run on play-action passes, there’s still a subtle difference to note early between run blocking and pass blocking.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • There’s subtle tang from the sour cream and cream cheese.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One big advantage of this tool is that the mathematical operations describing the forces between particles can be visualized as diagrams.
    Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • But the mathematical classification of knots didn’t begin until the 1870s.
    Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Notable criticisms or calls for change from Sharaa’s Sunni base emerged such as Syrian tycoon Ayman al-Asfari, who was among dozens of signatories on a July 23 statement demanding an inclusive government and new constitution.
    Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats in Congress are withholding their votes on a government spending bill to demand that Republicans extend these subsidies, which lower the cost of insurance for people who buy their own health care coverage in marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.
    Elena Shao, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Never booked or sent off, physically imposing yet beautifully balanced, Charles attained legend status in Turin — Il Gigante Buono.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The writer-director doesn’t solicit sympathy for Polly (played by Dakota Fanning) or impose meaning on her suffering.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And in response, the Maduro regime is extorting them by holding their nationals in prison and forcing them to engage with the Maduro regime for their release.
    Manuel Rueda, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Shannon was going through the worst thing in her life last year — getting a DUI and then being extorted for $75,000 by her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend who crashed the show — and what did Tamra do?
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!