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 okay
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
To absorb energy from radiation, the wavelength has to align exactly with any of these states’ energies.
—
Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
And that’s exactly why the cowgirl is there.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
And by the time the Lions faced fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line with eight minutes remaining, Johnson knew exactly what was coming.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Define your red zones to know exactly what to protect.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
And that’s exactly why the cowgirl is there.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
And by the time the Lions faced fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line with eight minutes remaining, Johnson knew exactly what was coming.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Define your red zones to know exactly what to protect.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
Adverb
-
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18, with seed money from conservative donors eager to expand the party’s reach to younger audiences.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Doctors struggle to access complete patient histories, researchers spend months cleaning inconsistent datasets, and hospitals face spiraling costs just to keep outdated systems running.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Detractors counter that America's identity is precisely its diversity, and that the law risks sending a message of exclusion to communities that already contribute to the cultural and economic fabric of the country.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
And that simple desire — to play at home — is precisely why Enfield Town exists.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Espresso’s pricing model is tied directly to results.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
By 2019, Kirk expanded into electoral politics with Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) that allowed his network to directly campaign for Republicans.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The sculptural blazer No longer do blazers have to mean strictly simple jackets.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Unlike the original Swyft, the Apple II SwyftCard does not use the bitmap display and appears strictly in 80-column non-proportional text.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
In short, The Paper doesn’t quite escape the shadow of its big brother, but that’s just fine with us.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Thanks to many hair- and scalp-care innovations, the best ingredients for hair growth products are a feasible means to achieving thicker, longer tresses right at home.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Trump was right again in concluding that the Federal Reserve has been too late in responding to the deterioration of the job market.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Ortega kept her glam perfectly moody, with a low, messy bun, a deep plum lip, and whisper thin eyebrows.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Prettygarden One-Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress If you’re headed to a wedding this fall, don’t miss this dress that’s perfectly compact-chic—and currently 45% off.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
However, social media users appeared to read some conflict into the body language between the pair, whether accurately or not.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This would be a crucial step toward accurately capturing the evolving nature of both the public sector and the gig economy, allowing for a more nuanced and accurate forecast of workforce trends.—
Jeff Gapusan,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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