1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference
we will meet at exactly six o'clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in directly
in the same words
a plagiarism suit alleging that one historian had copied large segments of another's text exactly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in strictly
without any relaxation of standards or precision
follow the rules exactly and you won't get into trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in quite
to a full extent or degree
she listened to the advice, then did exactly what she wanted to anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in okay
used to express agreement
"Are you calling me a liar?" "Exactly."
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exactly
The letter released by the committee looks exactly as described by The Journal in its report.
—
Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
But what, exactly, does that mean in 2025?
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Balance is exactly what the sector needs.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
So who knows exactly which food options Idaho’s drive-thru will offer.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
But what, exactly, does that mean in 2025?
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Balance is exactly what the sector needs.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
So who knows exactly which food options Idaho’s drive-thru will offer.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
Adverb
-
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18, with seed money from conservative donors eager to expand the party’s reach to younger audiences.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Doctors struggle to access complete patient histories, researchers spend months cleaning inconsistent datasets, and hospitals face spiraling costs just to keep outdated systems running.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Instead, their only aim is to protect themselves, which is precisely how the second horseman arrives.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Controlling cavitation precisely inside the human body (without damaging nearby tissue) will be very difficult.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
In the east, crews continued to build line between Wiseman Springs and Rancheria Creek, engaging the fire directly along its active edge where favorable.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The New York Times in 2015 reported that hundreds of Colombian mercenaries had been sent to Yemen to fight against the Houthi rebels, hired directly — and in secret — by the UAE.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The Sun, a notoriously bright object, would’ve burnt out the optical systems for Hubble and Spitzer if they were ever pointed in the Sun’s directions, so such observations were strictly forbidden.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The possession, sale, or import of THC-containing substances is strictly prohibited in Japan.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
In short, The Paper doesn’t quite escape the shadow of its big brother, but that’s just fine with us.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Thanks to many hair- and scalp-care innovations, the best ingredients for hair growth products are a feasible means to achieving thicker, longer tresses right at home.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Trump was right again in concluding that the Federal Reserve has been too late in responding to the deterioration of the job market.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Late in the second quarter, facing second-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 35, Rodgers led receiver Calvin Austin III perfectly with one of those off-balance wrist-flick throws 14 yards past the line of scrimmage from the far hash, for a 30-yard gain.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In short, the Norfleet touchdown perfectly encapsulated the role of fourth-down aggression in this game.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
By making advance plans, companies can save on business travel expenses for employees and more accurately budget, avoiding inflated prices for urgent bookings.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The revision of federal jobs data is part of a routine process known as benchmarking, in which surveys of businesses and state unemployment records are used to adjust previous numbers to more accurately reflect the employment landscape.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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