Synonyms of exacting

exacting 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzak-tiŋ 

1

as in careful

hard to please

he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well done

Synonyms & Similar Words

• careful
• demanding
• particular
• finicky
• fastidious
• nice
• meticulous
• picky
• finical
• persnickety
• pernickety
• delicate
• fussy
• dainty
• choosy
• finicking
• selective
• old-maidish
• discerning
• fussbudgety
• critical
• discriminating
• scrupulous
• painstaking
• punctilious
• insightful
• knowledgeable
• captious
• hypercritical
• faultfinding
• overcritical
• peevish
• petulant
• overdemanding
• squeamish
• prissy
• ultrafastidious
• touchy
• prim
• hyperfastidious
• queasy
• carping
• caviling
• prickly
• niminy-piminy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undemanding
• flexible
• affable
• lackadaisical
• carefree
• relaxed
• lax
• low-pressure
• loose
• lenient
• breezy
• unfussy
• permissive
• unfastidious
• uncritical
• laid-back
• undiscriminating
• devil-may-care
• happy-go-lucky
• indiscriminating

2

as in rigorous

not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards

the prep school's exacting standards for admission

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rigorous
• strict
• stringent
• uncompromising
• rigid
• meticulous
• inflexible
• conscientious
• steadfast
• hard-line
• cast-iron
• adamant
• scrupulous
• exact
• painstaking
• punctilious
• relentless
• undeviating
• stubborn
• unflinching
• unbending
• tenacious
• brassbound
• unrelenting
• fussy
• close
• tough
• determined
• unsparing
• implacable
• harsh
• dogged
• resolved
• unyielding
• demanding
• severe
• single-minded
• adamantine
• stern
• firm
• unappeasable
• hardened
• austere
• grim
• immovable
• hard
• flinty
• hard-hearted
• ironbound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• lax
• loose
• relaxed
• slack
• compliant
• easy
• yielding
• gentle
• acquiescent
• pliable
• mild
• pliant
• lenient
• indulgent
• merciful
• soft
• kindly
• easygoing
• tolerant
• compromising
• negligent
• sloppy
• relenting
• slipshod
• slovenly
• neglectful
• remiss
• spoiling
• pampering
• unfussy

3

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

the new recruits had to adjust themselves to the exacting discipline of military life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• challenging
• rigorous
• tough
• demanding
• formidable
• hard
• complicated
• heavy
• rugged
• rough
• severe
• arduous
• strenuous
• testing
• laborious
• intricate
• effortful
• murderous
• grueling
• tall
• backbreaking
• exhausting
• sweaty
• herculean
• painful
• complex
• killer
• toilsome
• serious
• uphill
• stiff
• elusive
• pick-and-shovel
• problematic
• annoying
• brutal
• hellacious
• onerous
• stubborn
• oppressive
• strict
• moiling
• stringent
• tricky
• grim
• abstract
• Augean
• involved
• burdensome
• abstruse
• stressful
• recondite
• bruising
• tight
• thorny
• troublesome
• hairy
• knotty
• opaque
• irksome
• labored
• trying
• vexatious
• insoluble
• cruel
• ticklish
• bothersome
• distressing
• taxing
• spiny
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• light
• undemanding
• soft
• effortless
• cheap
• clear
• mindless
• facile
• elementary
• achievable
• uncomplicated
• manageable
• gentle
• doable
• smooth
• soothing
• comforting
• relaxed
• painless
• friendly
• accessible
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

4

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

writing will always be an exacting task

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• demanding
• difficult
• onerous
• arduous
• tough
• laborious
• burdensome
• hard
• grueling
• killing
• taxing
• formidable
• toilsome
• persnickety
• testing
• strenuous
• rigorous
• stringent
• oppressive
• strict
• herculean
• severe
• rugged
• stern
• rough
• stiff
• rigid
• trying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• undemanding
• easy
• simple
• smooth
• unchallenging
• effortless
• facile
• nondemanding

exacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exact

1

as in demanding

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority

every war inevitably exacts the greatest sacrifice possible from some of the nation's best and brightest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demanding
• requiring
• commanding
• requesting
• claiming
• asking
• wanting
• insisting (on)
• pressing (for)
• calling (for)
• enjoining
• needing
• clamoring (for)
• questing
• imposing
• taking
• necessitating
• stipulating (for)
• warranting
• pleading (for)
• crying (for)
• harassing
• requisitioning
• badgering
• hounding
• dunning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yielding
• giving up
• surrendering
• relinquishing

2

as in imposing

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

vowed to exact a heavy fine from any hockey player engaging in such outrageous behavior on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imposing
• charging
• levying
• fining
• assessing
• putting
• taxing
• laying
• compelling
• penalizing
• gouging
• extorting
• milking
• inflicting
• docking
• forcing
• excising
• coercing
• mulcting
• wreaking
• wringing
• bleeding
• squeezing
• shaking down
• wresting
• relaying
• skinning
• fleecing
• setting
• reimposing
• reapplying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diminishing
• lessening
• remitting
• forgiving
• releasing
• ignoring
• abating
• disregarding
• excusing
• condoning
• pardoning
• glossing (over)
• glozing (over)

3

as in extorting

to get (as money) by the use of force or threats

that loan shark can be counted upon to exact repayment of his loan by whatever means necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extorting
• squeezing
• wringing
• coercing
• gouging
• milking
• wresting
• forcing
• compelling
• bleeding
• cheating
• swindling
• fleecing
• skinning
• racketeering

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective exacting contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When would burdensome be a good substitute for exacting?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to exacting?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace exacting?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exacting

Adjective

Alex Ross dives into the œuvre of a thinker whose work was omnivorous, exacting, and hopeful. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

But the goods are here, and Mysius is an exacting, exhilarating filmmaker who is more than ready to be leveled up. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026

Verb

From Tuesday through Saturday, he can still be found in the kitchen in full effect, ensuring every meal meets his exacting standards. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Charles Jencks, the late American cultural theorist and a famously exacting critic, saw in its flowing forms both sensuality and an important new direction for architecture. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026