exact 1 of 2

Definition of exactnext
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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

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exact

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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

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
Social Security benefits are typically disbursed to its nearly 74 million beneficiaries on Wednesdays, but your exact payment date depends on your birthdate. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026 One big differentiator is that unlike Apple’s AirTags, the Xiaomi Tag lacks ultra wideband (UWB) functionality for pinpointing its exact location. Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Tyson, who transferred from North Carolina, said he was struck by Medved’s exacting nature during summer and early season workouts. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2026 Shrinking lake ice exacts its price Depending on how much greenhouse gases warm the planet in the coming years, the average lake could lose up to 10 to 28 days of ice cover by the end of the century, says Sapna Sharma, a global change biologist at York University in Canada. Berly McCoy, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
Adjective
  • The company — which has 70 million users worldwide — also touts tools to detect and change song keys or to detect and generate the correct guitar chords for songs.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Jackson wrote that the appeals court was correct to defer to the immigration judge’s judgment when reviewing Urias-Orellana’s appeal claims, as is outlined by the Immigration and Nationality Act.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Indian Wells’ gritty courts, dry air and afternoon winds often reward patience and precise timing.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • His concern extended beyond the precise question of the neutrality proclamation; Madison offered a more general admonition against bestowing war powers on a single, potentially flawed individual.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Others recommend using the opportunity to educate children on the importance of news, understanding where to find accurate facts and how to identify when something is not true or deceiving.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Coaches and other Cowboys front office members have deemed Aubrey a weapon with his ability to test the lengths of field goal distance and be accurate.
    Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The subtle split among Democrats began emerging minutes after the first US strikes on Saturday.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
  • This Madewell pair is made from high-quality denim with a subtle stretch to hug your curves and ensure all-day comfort.
    Jordan Julian, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This mathematical confirmation proves that the physics of a kilometer-wide storm doesn’t require the sky.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
  • And there’s still a mathematical chance the Aztecs could end up in a three-way tie for first, although New Mexico can extinguish those faint hopes with a win Wednesday night against visiting Colorado State.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When Walker was fatally shot following the 211 call that prompted police officers to arrive at his apartment, where his teen and young adults daughters also were, advocates hosted a press conference demanding justice and accountability at City Hall.
    Mariana Navarrete Villegas, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
  • But each of these rationales demands a different strategy; eliminating an imminent threat involves a different set of operations than establishing peace in the region (or the world).
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Section 122, which has never been invoked, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The law limits the ability of local jurisdictions, including cities like Rocklin, to impose certain restrictions on bicycle use.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Police say 18th Street members also are known to extort both licensed and unlicensed vendors in the area.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Gonzales has denied the affair with the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, and claims he's being extorted by her husband.
    Caroline Linton, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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