EXACTING Synonyms: 298 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

exacting 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzak-tiŋ

Definition of exacting next

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

as in rigorous

not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards the prep school's exacting standards for admission

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention writing will always be an exacting task

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exact

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

How does the adjective exacting contrast with its synonyms?

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

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 exacting

Adjective

Touching on his reputation as an exacting, demanding, sometimes even difficult director to work with, Cameron offered rare comments about a joke made at an awards show that still stings over a decade later. —

Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025 Their work is quiet, exacting, and system-driven, instinctive by way of engineering. —

Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

Verb

Given its size, Koi Palace set an exacting standard of shocking consistency for many years. —

Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Hawley’s aesthetic is exacting, with limited tolerance for details that veer from his vision. —

Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting

Adjective

Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Definition of careful

Browse Nearby Words

exacted

exacting

exactingness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 2 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of exacting

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on exacting

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

ad hoc

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Are 'funner' and 'funnest' real words?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we say 'make a beeline'?

Insults and Compliments from Recent Slang

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we say 'make a beeline'?

Games & Quizzes