correct 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of correctnext
1
as in accurate
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard a real brainteaser with only one correct solution to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste painfully correct dress for the state dinner at the White House

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details the correct method for folding the American flag

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

correct

2 of 2

verb

kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce correct (audio)
1
as in to amend
to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from more time will be needed to correct the computer program

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective hopefully the young entrepreneur's professionalism will serve to correct his partner's extreme enthusiasm in the eyes of investors

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime an insensitive boss who liked to correct subordinates in front of their colleagues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
That way the actors knew where their heads were for the correct eyeline because the demogorgons are very tall. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026 But if police had focused on arresting and charging the correct person, another death may have been prevented, Friedland said. —Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
This article was updated to correct the record sale price of an MLB team. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 This story corrects the name of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. —CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for correct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for correct
  1. accurate
  2. proper
  3. formal
  4. amend
  5. offset
  6. punish
  7. true
  8. polite
Adjective
  • Rick Song, Persona’s co-founder and chief executive, wrote in a statement posted to LinkedIn that Discord’s claims about Persona’s capabilities were not accurate, emphasizing that the company does offer on-device age verification.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Rick Song, Persona’s co-founder and CEO, wrote in a statement posted to LinkedIn that Discord’s claims about Persona’s capabilities were not accurate, emphasizing that the company does offer on-device age verification.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • Ryan said Thursday that the man had been wearing orange booties issued by the county holding center, rather than proper shoes suitable for winter weather.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Detainees at the black box sites, some of whom are seriously wounded, do not receive medical care, do not have access to proper toilet facilities and are not logged in official records, raising the chances of torture or even death, Aban said.
    — Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • The service Service here strikes that elusive balance between formal and familiar—the staff embodying Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) while operating with polished international flair.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Look for Credentials That Signal Real Retirement Expertise Designations such as CFP (Certified Financial Planner) or RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional) indicate formal training in financial and retirement planning.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of formal
Verb
  • Advertisement Such intervention has only occurred twice since the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement (enacted in 1689 and 1701, respectively) established parliament’s ability to amend the terms of succession for the British Crown.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Illinois legislators can amend the governor’s maintenance budget and provide real investment in Black and Brown communities.
    — Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of amend
Verb
  • That price jump could be muted if the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which is set to meet on Sunday, votes to increase oil production to offset a possible hit to supply from the Iran conflict, experts said.
    — Maliya Ellis, Houston Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
  • While its higher end devices will be unlikely to offset any losses.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Definition of offset
Verb
  • Commissioner Abe Laydon said during the business meeting Tuesday that the ordinance was not meant to punish retailers but to keep the community safe.
    — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Roebuck finished with 29 points and was punishing the Wolverines with his strength driving and drawing fouls.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of punish
Adjective
  • Easy but exciting paths that felt like true tree lines to them.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Summing up the whole picture is impossible, and attempting to do it requires treading carefully, so as to maintain important boundaries between what is definitely true and what seems likely or merely speculative.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • The service The staff is efficient, polite, and friendly.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
  • This more loosely prescribed tradition stems partly from our big Southern families full of siblings and cousins, as well as partly from how Southerners are polite to a fault—and don’t ever want to leave anyone out.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of polite

Browse Nearby Words

corrals
correct
correctable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correct. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of correct for Spanish Speakers

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