Definition of exactlynext
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 As a result, no two pieces turned out to be exactly the same. Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 That result almost exactly matches the Pixel Watch 4 (56 hours), and remains impressive for a flagship smartwatch. Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 This is exactly the slice of the market that Neon Rebels wants to dominate. Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026 And that’s exactly why Sporting KC brought him to the club last winter. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
Adverb
  • Police said the chase ended in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35, just north of Highway 114, police said.
    Briauna Brown, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Aquarius January 20 – February 18 The group idea that just appeared needs a clear next step.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • There’s no clear explanation for why, precisely, liberals tend to have fewer children than conservatives do.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The mission also carries instruments from Egypt, Switzerland, Bahrain and Italy; the latter country’s instrument is a small laser retroreflector on the lander that can be used to precisely measure distances from orbiters to the lunar surface.
    Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • When the state failed to secure bids, municipalities had to seek emergency supplies or contact salt mines directly.
    Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Reporting the issue directly helps our teams assess the situation and coordinate an appropriate response.
    Terell Bailey, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Dewey shared that the Renaissance Center that was built in the 1970s was created to be a fortress, strictly for workers not in the community.
    Julia Avant, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Tehran has said the Strait’s administration should remain strictly between the two coastal states.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • The currents in the sea mean that swimming with small children or weak swimmers can be quite unrelaxing.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Jacquelyn is quite private and has no social media accounts.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Council members split, 3-3, again, and this time Bruner voted yes, pushing it through, 4-3.
    Noah Daly August 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026
  • John has been working his whole life to be deemed a worthy member of the Green Lantern corps, and Hal was literally handed the ring after answering a single yes-or-no question correctly.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • His home could soon sit right next to one of the 200-foot-high-voltage transmission towers.
    Joy Benedict, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • At other moments, conversation and connection were happening right outside on the balcony between attendees, some of whom were meeting each other for the first time.
    Shi Bradley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • If Menorca were instead described as a refreshing gazpacho, this 18th-century rural estate converted into a luxury hotel would be the perfectly satisfying last spoonful.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Swift’s engagement ring, which has been estimated to have a minimum value of $550,000, fits perfectly with the band, Fitzpatrick noted.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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