Synonyms of correct

correct 1 of 2

adjective

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

• accurate
• true
• proper
• good
• precise
• exact
• right
• so
• logical
• valid
• dead-on
• legitimate
• perfect
• veracious
• spot-on
• on the money
• on-target
• bang on
• on target
• sound
• flawless
• infallible
• rigorous
• faultless
• impeccable
• strict
• inerrant
• letter-perfect
• stringent
• errorless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wrong
• incorrect
• improper
• false
• inaccurate
• off
• untrue
• defective
• imperfect
• faulty
• inexact
• flawed

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

• proper
• polite
• satisfactory
• acceptable
• respectable
• nice
• decorous
• adequate
• decent
• formal
• elegant
• dress
• befitting
• seemly
• genteel
• relevant
• gracious
• tolerable
• de rigueur
• dignified
• compatible
• permitted
• apt
• prim
• authorized
• dressy
• congenial
• allowed
• harmonious
• kosher
• priggish
• material
• stuffy
• stiff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incorrect
• improper
• inappropriate
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• indecent
• unseemly
• intolerable
• unbecoming
• informal
• indelicate
• casual
• prohibited
• barred
• indecorous
• shabby
• forbidden
• tacky
• ungenteel
• seedy
• disallowed
• awkward
• proscribed
• grungy
• gauche
• banned
• outlawed
• interdicted
• ungraceful

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

• formal
• proper
• nice
• decorous
• ceremonious
• stiff
• punctilious
• civil
• solemn
• stilted
• starchy
• polite
• polished
• stiff-necked
• refined
• sober
• chivalrous
• stately
• gallant
• courteous
• courtly
• red-carpet
• genteel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• informal
• improper
• casual
• easygoing
• unceremonious
• indecorous
• unmannerly
• laid-back
• rude
• discourteous
• impolite

correct

2 of 2

verb

kə-ˈrekt 

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

• amend
• remedy
• rectify
• reform
• rewrite
• change
• improve
• right
• debug
• modify
• emend
• revise
• adjust
• repair
• better
• red-pencil
• perfect
• rework
• shorten
• redress
• fix
• alter
• redraw
• ameliorate
• regulate
• polish
• cut
• redraft
• modulate
• blue-pencil
• restyle
• touch up
• mend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hurt
• damage
• harm
• impair
• injure
• spoil
• mar
• aggravate
• worsen

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

• offset
• neutralize
• compensate (for)
• counteract
• cancel (out)
• outweigh
• counterbalance
• make up (for)
• remedy
• negative
• relieve
• annul
• invalidate
• counterpoise
• nullify
• redeem
• negate
• redress
• atone (for)
• neuter
• overrule
• override
• outbalance

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

• punish
• fine
• penalize
• criticize
• sentence
• discipline
• chastise
• assess
• castigate
• chasten
• convict
• impose
• charge
• condemn
• levy
• dock
• denounce
• damn
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reprove
• mulct
• wreak
• keelhaul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excuse
• spare
• pardon
• forfeit
• get off
• release
• ransom
• vindicate
• commute
• exonerate
• absolve
• acquit
• exculpate
• reprieve

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

Recent Examples of correct

Adjective

The Big Ten later said the official's call was correct, saying that there was one second left on the clock when Western Michigan touched the ball out of bounds. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Shoveling into my mouth with a spoon was the only correct way to eat. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

The answer lies in constructions from theoretical computer science called error-correcting codes, which are intimately intertwined with high-dimensional sphere packing. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

One streaming mishap under his leadership was the first livestream of the Oscars on Hulu in 2025 crashing, an issue that was corrected for the 2026 telecast. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026