Synonyms of exact

exact 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in correct

being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

maybe I wasn't being very exact when I said I had done it a million times—but it sure seemed like it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• correct
• accurate
• true
• precise
• proper
• good
• right
• so
• logical
• dead-on
• valid
• perfect
• veracious
• legitimate
• on the money
• spot-on
• on-target
• bang on
• sound
• on target
• flawless
• rigorous
• strict
• impeccable
• infallible
• faultless
• stringent
• inerrant
• letter-perfect
• errorless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wrong
• false
• incorrect
• improper
• inaccurate
• off
• untrue
• inexact
• defective
• imperfect
• faulty
• flawed

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

• precise
• flat
• round
• even

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relative
• approximate
• comparative
• near
• imprecise

3

as in accurate

following an original exactly

an exact replica of an aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accurate
• true
• precise
• authentic
• careful
• strict
• faithful
• right
• realistic
• real
• meticulous
• veracious
• authoritative
• genuine
• scrupulous
• conscientious
• lifelike
• bona fide
• punctilious
• veridical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• false
• inaccurate
• loose
• corrupt
• inexact
• unfaithful
• imprecise
• wrong
• careless
• erroneous
• incorrect
• slack
• corrupted
• off
• inauthentic
• untrue
• invalid
• unsound
• slovenly
• slipshod
• untruthful

4

as in subtle

made or done with extreme care and accuracy

the company stresses that its optical telescopes are exact instruments and should not be handled as toys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• subtle
• nice
• fine
• delicate
• minute
• nuanced
• meticulous
• refined
• particular
• exacting
• finespun
• trivial
• hairsplitting
• hairline
• petty
• insignificant
• demanding
• inconsiderable
• trifling
• negligible
• inconsequential
• quibbling
• frivolous
• finicky
• nitpicking
• fastidious
• picky
• finical
• piddling
• finicking
• fussy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inexact
• obvious
• rough
• apparent
• coarse
• clear
• evident
• unmistakable
• manifest
• unambiguous
• plain
• unequivocal
• broad
• transparent
• palpable
• indefinite
• clear-cut
• patent
• perspicuous
• open-and-shut
• careless
• sloppy
• heedless
• slipshod
• incautious
• slapdash

5

as in mathematical

meeting the highest standard of accuracy

in order for the blind to fit properly, we must have the exact measurements of the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accurate
• precise
• mathematical
• correct
• pinpoint
• rigorous
• close
• fine
• careful
• spot-on
• strict
• definite
• delicate
• refined
• true
• right
• definitive
• hairline
• subtle
• meticulous
• nice
• fastidious
• finicky
• finical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approximate
• wrong
• rough
• inaccurate
• coarse
• round
• false
• incorrect
• inexact
• imprecise
• loose
• vague
• unclear
• careless
• untrue
• indefinite
• doubtful
• questionable
• dubious
• unreliable
• untrustworthy

exact

2 of 2

verb

ig-ˈzakt 

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

• demand
• request
• claim
• require
• command
• ask
• want
• quest
• insist (on)
• press (for)
• need
• stipulate (for)
• call (for)
• enjoin
• clamor (for)
• take
• necessitate
• cry (for)
• plead (for)
• warrant
• impose
• requisition
• harass
• hound
• badger
• dun

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield
• give up
• surrender
• relinquish

2

as in to impose

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impose
• charge
• fine
• assess
• levy
• put
• lay
• tax
• excise
• force
• dock
• skin
• shake down
• penalize
• extort
• compel
• inflict
• relay
• milk
• gouge
• set
• coerce
• wreak
• wrest
• wring
• bleed
• squeeze
• mulct
• fleece
• reapply
• reimpose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diminish
• lessen
• remit
• forgive
• release
• ignore
• abate
• disregard
• excuse
• pardon
• condone
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)

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

• extort
• squeeze
• force
• wring
• skin
• wrest
• coerce
• milk
• gouge
• bleed
• swindle
• cheat
• compel
• fleece
• racketeer

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

Recent Examples of exact

Adjective

The exact reasoning behind this decision is unclear, but SM’s portfolio has limited viable options. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 30 July 2026

The fear is real, and the man describing it has something to sell, both at once, which is the exact condition this entire essay is about. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

Forty years later, Wednesday, England was mere minutes from exacting payback at last. — Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

The gap between this miracle and the losses absorbed by ordinary citizens is the cost the war has exacted. — Frayda Leibtag, Time, 13 July 2026

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