exact

verb

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ex·act | \ ig-ˈzakt

exacted; exacting; exacts

Definition of exact

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

exact

adjective

Definition of exact (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from exact Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Do you exact or extract revenge? Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about exact

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Choose the Right Synonym for exact

Verb

demand, claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something as due or as necessary. demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands. demanded payment of the debt claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right. claimed the right to manage his own affairs require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation. the patient requires constant attention exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands. exacts absolute loyalty

Adjective

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error. correct answers socially correct dress accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care. an accurate description exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth. exact measurements precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation. precise calibration nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination. makes nice distinctions 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

Do you exact or extract revenge?

Verb

The verb exact (as in, "exacting revenge" or "exacting a promise") is not as commonly encountered as the adjective exact, (as in "an exact copy" or "exact measurements"). Sometimes people will mistakenly use the more common verb extract when they really want exact. Extract can refer to removing something by pulling or cutting or to getting information from someone who does not want to give it. While both words refer to getting something they are used in different ways. You extract a tooth, but you exact revenge.

Did You Know?

Verb

Exact derives from a form of the Latin verb exigere, meaning "to drive out, to demand, or to measure." (Another descendant of exigere is the word exigent, which can mean "demanding" or "requiring immediate attention.") Exigere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix ex- with the verb agere, meaning "to drive." Agere has been a very prolific source of words for English speakers; it is the ancestor of agent, react,mitigate, and navigate, just to name a few. Incidentally, if you are looking for a synonym of the verb exact, you could try demand, call for,claim, or require.

Examples of exact in a Sentence

Verb They would not rest until they had exacted revenge. He was able to exact a promise from them. Adjective Those were his exact words. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. We don't know the exact nature of the problem. Predicting the path of hurricanes is not an exact science. The police have an exact description of the killer. Please take the most exact measurements possible. He is very exact in the way he solves a problem.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb All the Musketeers had left to do was exact a little revenge. — Adam Baum, Cincinnati.com, "'They believed': Xavier women's soccer earns its 3rd NCAA Tournament berth amid historic season," 11 Nov. 2019 But drug addiction also exacted a difficult toll, including prison terms. — Nancy Kruh, PEOPLE.com, "A Bad Breakup and Her Sister's Death Inspire Kalie Shorr to Record Her Daring Debut Open Book," 1 Nov. 2019 Guns exact a heavy toll on the American public every day. — Laura Prater, The Conversation, "More mental health care won’t stop the gun epidemic, new study suggests," 7 Oct. 2019 Opponents couldn't wait to exact revenge, and often did. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Winderman: Can Heat offer Warriors a blueprint regarding capitulation, devastation, resolve? | Commentary," 3 Nov. 2019 The Knights, having lost the Carroll County Athletic League title to Liberty two weeks ago, exacted some revenge in capturing the regional title with a 2-0 road victory. — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Boys Soccer: Revenge sweet for Century, which ousts rival Liberty to win regional title," 29 Oct. 2019 The length of the UAW strike — the longest at GM since 1973 — exacted a cost for the company, for the workers who have forgone regular paychecks, and related businesses, which experienced layoffs from Canada to Mexico. — Eli Rosenberg, Washington Post, "The GM strike is nearly over. Workers are voting on the contract.," 25 Oct. 2019 Left unaddressed, workplace incivility exacts a huge cost. — Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Toward more civil workplaces," 20 Oct. 2019 But for all the fun of watching Sweeney exact his revenge on the odious Judge Turpin, CFCArts doesn’t lose sight of the message that a devotion to vengeance destroys the avenger. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "In CFCArts’ ‘Sweeney Todd,’ David Lowe winningly serves up vengeance | Review," 20 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Contact the restaurant or check its social media (@meraki_mke on Instagram, @merakimke on Facebook) for exact dates for the next classes as they're announced. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Drop in and learn while trying wines (and snacks) of Italy at Meraki," 18 Nov. 2019 The prospectus for Saudi Aramco’s IPO provided few details for investors, such as an indicative share price or an exact date for its stockmarket debut on the Riyadh exchange. — The Economist, "Business this week," 14 Nov. 2019 An exact release date has yet to be announced, as the film is currently being shopped to potential buyers at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "Chris Pine to play Walter Cronkite in Newsflash movie about eve of JFK's death," 7 Nov. 2019 Gee said new versions of the films will be shown in future flights, but the exact date was not available yet. — Nicole Chavez, CNN, "Delta is bringing back same-sex love scenes in 'Booksmart' and 'Rocketman' to its flights," 2 Nov. 2019 The exact date and location have yet to be announced. — Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "Tickets go on sale next week for a human-sized Pac-Man maze coming to Houston," 31 Oct. 2019 While exact dates for 2020 haven’t been announced, this year’s initiative went from Labor Day weekend through October 31. — Rebecca Shinners, Health.com, "I Participated in Hyatt Regency Maui’s Paddle for a Cure—and I’ve Never Felt So Empowered to Give Back," 30 Oct. 2019 An exact date for the public debut of this touching honor has not been released. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "George H. W. Bush's Former Service Dog Sully to Be Honored with His Own Statue in Texas," 29 Oct. 2019 Both incidents happened within the last week, but police did not release the exact date or time. — BostonGlobe.com, "Anonymous tips led Boston police officers to arrest two men in separate incidents in South Boston and seize methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from their homes, Boston police said.," 29 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exact.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for exact

Verb

Middle English exacten "to require as payment," borrowed from Latin exāctus, past participle of exigere "to drive out, achieve, enforce payment of or the performance of (a task), require, inquire into, examine" from ex- ex- entry 1 + agere "to drive (cattle), be in motion, do, perform" — more at agent

Adjective

borrowed from Latin exāctus, from past participle of exigere "to drive out, achieve, require, inquire into, examine, measure" — more at exact entry 1

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