1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference we will meet at exactly six o'clock

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
6

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 exactly And for Swift, that seems to be exactly what Kelce does. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 27 Oct. 2025 For the Chinese superstar, that’s exactly the point. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025 That's exactly what Facebook wants to change. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025 The priority at the deadline should be doing exactly what those teams are trying to do. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
Adverb
  • To increase the challenge of this exercise, place a resistance band around your thighs just above your knees.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Getty Images Rarely would a head coach whose team conceded seven goals in a home game just over one week earlier be described as being in a good position.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Recently, Carbon Robotics launched its autonomous weeder, which uses AI, robotics, and laser technology to navigate fields, precisely identify, and eliminate weeds, enhancing efficiency and reducing chemical dependence.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But that feels precisely wrong.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Although the balloon incident has not been directly linked to Moscow, Lithuania's border closures add to tensions spiked by accusations of Russian incursions into NATO airspace amid Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The dagger of a late third-period goal came directly in front of him.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • While Howard’s vision has remained steadfast, the strictly brick-and-mortar store has embraced social media to a degree.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
  • These include executive orders and regulatory changes to enforce immigration laws more strictly, pause or restrict refugee resettlement, reinstate rapid-expulsion policies like Title 42, expedite deportations, and increase border barrier construction.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The experiment discovered that AI could fulfill this role quite well.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The maze is quite scary, including an It-style clown with a chainsaw, chainsaw-wielding doctors in scrubs, and Beryl at the center of it all as the town’s biggest cultural claim to fame, the Headless Horseman.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • But Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor answered right back with a beauty of his own, roofing a backhander past Knight to seal the win.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • This version falls right at the hips and has a relaxed yet feminine silhouette, thanks to its cap-like sleeves.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The 27-yard dart, perfectly thrown to the goal line, unlocked a tie at 27 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • For makeup, Sweeney’s hot pink eyeliner perfectly complemented her pastel gown.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Grokipedia accurately states that as of October 2025, Wikipedia had more than 7 million articles in English, in the main entry about its older rival.
    NPR, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
  • But Taneka Bowles and Kiya Tomlin didn’t get the memo about staying in the background (and both are literally going beyond the bleachers, as Bowles Instagram name accurately describes).
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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