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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rigorous
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
the prep school's exacting standards for admission
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3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the new recruits had to adjust themselves to the exacting discipline of military life
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4
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
writing will always be an exacting task
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exacting
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
That meant that creditors had to follow the more exacting claim process.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The only detail held to an exacting standard is the choreography, thoroughly executed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacting
Adjective
Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
That meant that creditors had to follow the more exacting claim process.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
So of course a nation famed for its exacting culture and being the most visited in the world—clocking 102 million international tourists in 2025—has a very specific appellation system for its luxury hotels.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The only detail held to an exacting standard is the choreography, thoroughly executed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting
Adjective
-
Backfill with soil, being careful not to place the soil against the stem, as this can cause rot.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
-
Every Jantzen suit is crafted for a variety of body types with careful attention to support, coverage and ease of movement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Every small business article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of small business products.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
The campaign was the work of Claude Hopkins, an advertising executive with a passion for rigorous testing and measurable results.—
Julia Dhar,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
JSerra navigated a difficult regular-season schedule, then avoided upsets in the playoffs.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
But the strength of his acidic, strong, difficult performance was too powerful for the Tonys to deny.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Inmates challenging execution methods must suggest an alternative method.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
-
Lee, who relieved fans by hitting his old high notes on night one, sounded even stronger on night two, gleefully tearing into the most challenging corners of their catalog.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
State regulations require specific teacher-to-child ratios, and those ratios become especially demanding with infants and toddlers.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
Addressing reporters for the first time since The Associated Press projected a November runoff between her and Mayor Karen Bass, Raman said residents are losing faith in the city’s ability to solve even basic problems and are demanding a different approach.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Delayed by wars, politics and funding shortfalls, Sagrada Família’s imposing but unfinished presence has dominated Barcelona’s skyline for decades.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
The state is the country acting as a political unit and imposing its will by means of government bureaucracy, the military, and any other entity that exercises power on behalf of the country.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The report describes Indigenous patrols in Venezuela allegedly working alongside armed groups controlling mining areas and extorting workers along river routes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
Dozens of armed groups run rampant in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, extorting businesses, kidnapping people and driving farmers off their land.—
Caitlin Stephen Hu,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the Appalachian mountains, this form took particular root.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Signing bonuses, in particular, are often prorated over multiple years for salary cap purposes, which is why the timing of a trade can matter.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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