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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 Inside that landscape, Istanbul’s Cosmedica Clinic stands out for planning discipline, precise execution, and steady aftercare. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 The precise placement and integrity of this structure are fundamental to the operational performance and safety of the entire system. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025 The ball technology is designed to send precise ball data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in real time, which can help quicken the pace of a match by providing referees with more information to help make faster decisions for calls like offsides. Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 Many frothers can handle one or the other, but the Breville nails both, thanks to its precise temperature control. Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • The display is bright, resulting in accurate and vibrant colors.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The game gives players six attempts to guess a five-letter word, receiving feedback through colored tiles that indicate correct letters and their placement.
    Peter White, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Another virtual orange door would appear upon entering the correct phrase into Google.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While the exact cause of eczema isn’t fully understood, it’s believed to arise from a mix of genetic, immune and environmental factors.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • While the exact date of the ownership change is still unknown, operations will shift under the United Community Center — including a new age cap of 3 years for on-campus care and a schedule that no longer aligns with Alverno’s academic breaks.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Watching my great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and aunt serve as loyal members of this sorority shaped my understanding of what true sisterhood and service look like.
    Essence, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
  • With markets looking unperturbed, that might turn out true sooner if nothing serious comes in the way of the bulls.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The team plans to expand the research to evaluate inhaler emissions in specific patient groups, such as Medicaid recipients, and to compare clinical outcomes of low- and high-emission inhalers in the same therapeutic class.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The guidelines contain specific terminology and targets for calories and nutrients that guide federal food aid for mothers and infants, free school lunches and what's served at military bases and in federal prisons.
    Will Stone, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One big advantage of this tool is that the mathematical operations describing the forces between particles can be visualized as diagrams.
    Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • But the mathematical classification of knots didn’t begin until the 1870s.
    Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rogers police sent out a news release Thursday about Act 557 of 2025, which allows people get their money back from the kiosks if people follow the proper procedures.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Equipment is not maintained in good repair or does not allow for proper adjustment (Condensation build-up inside of reach-in cooler).
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As a remake of the original 2013 PS3 game, The Last of Us was rebuilt with better graphics while retaining an authentic experience.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Their mission is to preserve and enhance the ethos of the iconic American West by bringing these offerings to a broader audience in modern, authentic ways.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on precise

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