exact 1 of 2

1
2
as in precise
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent the exact number of passengers on that airplane was 147

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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exact

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verb

1
as in to demand
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority every war inevitably exacts the greatest sacrifice possible from some of the nation's best and brightest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to extort
to get (as money) by the use of force or threats that loan shark can be counted upon to exact repayment of his loan by whatever means necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of exact are accurate, correct, nice, precise, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

In what contexts can accurate take the place of exact?

The synonyms accurate and exact are sometimes interchangeable, but accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When could correct be used to replace exact?

In some situations, the words correct and exact are roughly equivalent. However, correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When would nice be a good substitute for exact?

The words nice and exact can be used in similar contexts, but nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How do precise and exact relate to one another?

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

How are the words right and correct related as synonyms of exact?

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 exact
Adjective
The exact circumstances of Lewis’ departure remain unclear, and no public announcement of his exit had been made as of Thursday afternoon. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025 Outlook Single Double Triple Homer Buehler left the Dodgers without receiving the one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer, which happens to be the exact terms of his new deal with the Red Sox. Tim Britton, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Turns out there’s been a murder, and the Furies — walking, frothing embodiments of anger in Ancient Greek mythology — want to exact revenge. Sigal Samuel, Vox, 3 Feb. 2025 But migration diplomacy is also used by less powerful nations aware of the opportunity of exacting concessions out of countries, blocs or international bodies. Nicholas R. Micinski, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
Adjective
  • If polling is correct, the tiny Die Linke party, on the far left, seems likely to make it.
    Christopher F. Schuetze, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Ferguson’s instincts were correct, for the first hour at least.
    Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Redick seemed to have Doncic with the ball in his hands more than previous games, and Doncic used these touches to bludgeon this Nuggets defense repeatedly with precise shooting and strong finishing.
    Mikai Bruce, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The final stretches of the race saw Friesen almost clinching victory, only for Busch to secure the win with a precise side draft.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After her mother’s death, Sevilla-Bazan struggled to get an accurate sense from Bishop or his followers of what exactly happened.
    David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Villa’s left-back then tries to find Watkins, but his cross isn’t accurate.
    Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • China reacted angrily Monday to new State Department wording that appeared to indicate a subtle shift in favor of Taipei.
    Christian Shepherd The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 18 Feb. 2025
  • This style can be easily individualized with soft braids, details creating a subtle crown effect.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Starting Next Week The bonding curve represents the mathematical heart of Pump.fun’s trading system.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The show follows Edward Brooks (Leo Woodall), a mathematical postdoc at Britain’s second-oldest university.
    Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trump has demanded the agreement as a way for Ukraine to pay back U.S. aid during the war.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025
  • An earlier version of the deal, in which the Trump administration demanded a $500 billion share of Ukraine’s rare earths and other minerals in exchange for the aid the US had already provided Kyiv, was rejected by Zelensky.
    Victoria Butenko, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The department said export control laws did not impose such restrictions.
    Luc Cohen, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Trump had promised to retake the Panama Canal and to possibly acquire Greenland, imposed a barrage of tariffs, fired more than a dozen inspectors general and federal prosecutors, suggested shutting down FEMA, halted global land-mine-clearance programs, and ordered migrants to Guantánamo Bay.
    Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Kate O'Flaherty Ransom DDoS Is On The Rise In the final quarter of 2024, Cloudflare observed a surge in Ransom DDoS attacks, where adversaries try to extort money by threatening to take down their targets' web properties or networks.
    Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The policy was a boon for drug cartel members, who targeted asylum seekers to extort, kidnap and rape them, human rights groups say.
    Annie Correal, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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