1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference
we will meet at exactly six o'clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in directly
in the same words
a plagiarism suit alleging that one historian had copied large segments of another's text exactly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in strictly
without any relaxation of standards or precision
follow the rules exactly and you won't get into trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in quite
to a full extent or degree
she listened to the advice, then did exactly what she wanted to anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in yes
used to express agreement
"Are you calling me a liar?" "Exactly."
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exactly
Even if there are tiny imperfections in the glass or the writing process, the system uses what's known as forward error correction to fill in the gaps and ensure the information is retrieved exactly as it was saved.
—
New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026
The Maduro operation tests exactly that distinction.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026
Much of the drama is undermined by the odd choice to have the characters explain exactly what is happening (presumably for the slowpokes in the back).
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Its author, East Bay Democratic Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, told media outlets the law was drafted to prevent exactly what Grok was producing.
—Ethan Baron, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exactly
New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026
The Maduro operation tests exactly that distinction.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026
Much of the drama is undermined by the odd choice to have the characters explain exactly what is happening (presumably for the slowpokes in the back).
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Its author, East Bay Democratic Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, told media outlets the law was drafted to prevent exactly what Grok was producing.
—Ethan Baron, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
Adverb
-
The cheapest seat could be gotten for just $24 on popular ticket app Ticketmaster only an hour before the game.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The first act of my adventure started just outside the city of Córdoba, in what felt like a perfect place to unwind before delving into the local culture.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Metrics shave off this valuable information precisely because these experiences can’t be easily communicated.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The primary challenge is that the energy frequency must match the accelerator cavity precisely at 805 Megahertz.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Instead, the women and their husbands found out about the data center project from speaking directly to the workers hired to move dirt and dig runoff ditches ahead of construction.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Kabuki, for example, was strictly censored by Allied officials for the first few years of the occupation, owing to its characteristic themes of loyalty, vengeance, and honor.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Under the city’s registration rules, Johnson notes, short-term rentals are limited to a maximum of eight guests and parties are strictly prohibited.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The white men who drafted and debated and approved the Fourteenth Amendment were quite aware that its impact would extend beyond Black Americans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But the increase won’t be quite fast enough, which means an elevated wildfire threat will remain across the region.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
One of them is to bypass the yes-or-no question and briefly discuss the item instead.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Kalshi and Polymarket are both prediction markets where people trade on yes-or-no outcomes of future events across pop culture, sports, and politics.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The hotel is located right in the middle of downtown and close to restaurants, pharmacies, cafés, and parking.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But midway through the second half, Peterson allowed Flemings to get to his spot easily and knock one down from the mid-range before answering on the other end with a dribble hand-off 3-pointer right in front of the Kansas bench.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Fresh produce, ricotta, lemon, mint, and pasta shells create a perfectly balanced creamy and crunchy spring dinner that is filling without leaving you feeling stuffed.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The bright red, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, whose long beaks and tongues perfectly suit the flower shape.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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