correct 1 of 2

1
2
3

correct

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of correct are accurate, exact, nice, precise, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When could accurate be used to replace correct?

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

an accurate description

When can exact be used instead of correct?

The words exact and correct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

Where would nice be a reasonable alternative to correct?

While in some cases nearly identical to correct, nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How do precise and exact relate to one another, in the sense of correct?

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

precise calibration

How are the words right and correct related?

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 correct
Adjective
Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly after. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025 To ensure that the pasta has the correct consistency, make sure a decent amount of sauce is pooling in the bottom of the Dutch oven. Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
This story has been updated to correct Riana Pfefferkorn's name and clarify XiaoFeng Wang's previous research affiliations. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025 The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for correct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for correct
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
  • Rogers police sent out a news release Thursday about Act 557 of 2025, which allows people get their money back from the kiosks if people follow the proper procedures.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Equipment is not maintained in good repair or does not allow for proper adjustment (Condensation build-up inside of reach-in cooler).
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As evidenced, efforts can culminate in formal events for strategizing and bolstering membership.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Wyatt’s pointed use of stark silence to enhance some of the tense moments before battles break out is an effective formal choice that, without the use of slow motion, produces the feeling of time moving differently, making the viewer hyper-aware of what may come.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the past two decades, nearly two dozen mostly red states have amended their safe-haven laws, which allow people to anonymously give up their infants for adoption through face-to-face surrenders at hospitals and fire stations, to also permit people to surrender babies in these boxes.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In addition, information related to wait times in September has been amended to clarify its weight as a data point.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Improved performance could allow translators to offset the lower cost-per-word by translating higher volumes of text, though Kutylowski notes that AI tools are allowing some businesses to bring translation in-house rather than outsourcing to professionals.
    Harry Booth, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Something resembling the Singaporean arrangement could be one way to offset these challenges.
    Marina Lopes, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Freeport-McMoRan — The copper and gold miner gained more than 1% after UBS upgraded Freeport to buy from neutral, saying it has been overly punished after declaring force majeure at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia following a deadly collapse.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That bill also included a provision that would punish states that provide health coverage to undocumented immigrants.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Watching my great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and aunt serve as loyal members of this sorority shaped my understanding of what true sisterhood and service look like.
    Essence, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
  • With markets looking unperturbed, that might turn out true sooner if nothing serious comes in the way of the bulls.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Always speaking calmly with a polite smile and a distinct Italian accent, Bassetti could easily be described as an iron fist in a velvet glove.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The rather polite 47-year-old Englishman remained transfixed on the massive video board down the hill.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correct. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on correct

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!