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as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent gave him the precise amount that he owed him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word precise different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of precise are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

When would accurate be a good substitute for precise?

The words accurate and precise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

In what contexts can correct take the place of precise?

Although the words correct and precise have much in common, correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When is it sensible to use exact instead of precise?

In some situations, the words exact and precise are roughly equivalent. However, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

When could nice be used to replace precise?

The synonyms nice and precise are sometimes interchangeable, but nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How do right and correct relate to one another, in the sense of precise?

Right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

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 precise His precise motive in the shooting is still unclear. Christina Coulter, People.com, 29 July 2025 Maimone’s attention to detail is precise — even to the secondary or one-off characters, such as Madame Dashkova, a spiritual medium, or Monica O’Brien, Bertha’s sister. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 28 July 2025 This setup delivers precise environmental awareness for everything from highway cruising to close-range maneuvers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025 Researchers are working on proving this quantum computational advantage in a precise theoretical sense. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • Call your insurance company and verify that the estimate is accurate to your policy.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • The analysts' predictions were not entirely accurate, the brand said.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, if an inverter fails to detect the correct frequency or if the frequency is disrupted, the energy transmission is disconnected.
    Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • However, your internal systems don’t have the capacity or the interoperability to pull together the data across disparate networks and applications to verify if their invoice numbers are correct.
    Kevin Akeroyd, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • While the exact reason why Kenny and JaNa broke up hasn’t been revealed, TMZ reported that JaNa who ultimately made the decision to split.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 July 2025
  • Generally, employers prefer people who have done the exact role before.
    Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • This was certainly true of the Mets last summer when Taylor played his way into the lineup more consistently than Harrison Bader.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
  • This rings especially true for me, a vegetarian for nearly two decades.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Each was assigned a specific draft strategy to follow to the best of their ability.
    Jay Felicio, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Unlike other streaming platforms, new Neon film releases on Hulu aren’t relegated to a specific day.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Tolkowsky, a Belgian mathematician from a diamond-cutting family, was the first to detail the mathematical principles for maximizing a round brilliant diamond’s sparkle and brilliance.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The first part is the bedrock deep beneath the tower, which is made of hard mathematical problems.
    Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • People come back from proper breaks with more energy, better ideas, and fewer signs of burnout.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • The trooper found no proper registration for the vehicle.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Why not visit Germany right now to experience firsthand history-in-the-making, but at the same time bring back authentic Wall remnants?
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Use the new moon in your sign on June 25 to set intentions around community, joy, and authentic friendship.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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