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Definition of correctnext
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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
Those who voted on Issue 7A but were not eligible to do so will have their ballots duplicated onto the correct ballot style, state officials said. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 And not all of the proofs were certified as correct by the automatic logic verification platform Lean—in fact, some have already been retracted after outside scientists found mistakes. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
If those issues do not get corrected, there will be more wallowing over early exits, and more Yankee Stadium parties that the home team isn’t invited to. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 After a few months, Fei and Wang identified a promising new approach to building error-correcting codes. — Quanta Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for correct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for correct
Adjective
  • Moreover, the company says automatic workout recognition is twice as accurate as before, with 50% fewer missed activities.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Google says the new model means auto activity tracking is twice as accurate and supports over 100 activities.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Proceedings kicked off Saturday with MipJunior, the kids & family prolog to Mipcom proper.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Jane Doe deserved an administration that delivered a fair and proper judicial process.
    — Jeannine Chiang, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In one of those roles, the chair assembled a formal transition committee that met with me throughout my first six months.
    — Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This most recent collection from McCartney features a massive array of differing styles ranging from casual to chic and formal, with Stern’s choice of the elegant bodice an excellent one for the Albie Awards.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Going forward, the audit asks the Legislature to amend state law to provide clear instruction that prohibits state workers from regularly teleworking outside of California.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday amended the map to remove portions of the 3rd District — which is the district the Chiefs and Royals are leaving for their new stadiums.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Longer life offsets costs The researchers also examined whether the additional electronics could be economically justified.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The interior swims in faded blues, mint greens and powdery neutrals with neoclassical moldings, offset by black lacquer, frosted glass, mosaics and polished metal.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But their complaints come as Lecornu's government seeks to rein in public spending to appease skittish bond markets, which have punished France more harshly than many of its peers this year, amid a global bond market rout.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Last month, a former Cornell University student identified only as Jane Doe sued seven fraternity brothers and the university, claiming the school failed to protect her and punish the perpetrators.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • From its opening moments, Zoe Kazan’s epic, sprawling Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, East of Eden, announces that the monstrous Cathy Ames (played by Florence Pugh) is the true center of the story.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The true subject of the movie is the power of law, and the erosion of law.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Tonight's format, with Georgians asking the questions of candidates, meant a very polite back-and-forth between Jackson and Bottoms dominated the first half of the debate.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Cagle added that the photo showed a confident, brilliant, brave, polite, gracious, kind and gentle young man.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correct. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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