exact 1 of 2

Definition of exactnext
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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

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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

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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
But not just any neck pillow—the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow, to be exact. Daniel Modlin, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026 The exact costs were not tracked separately, the district said, but the work included signage, door hardware and labor. Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
This horrendous act leads a grieving but determined Ruthye to Kara Zor-El, dead set on exacting revenge for the killings and using our Supergirl to help get her to the culprit. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 24 June 2026 Advertisement The conflict has also exacted a human price. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for exact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
Adjective
  • The respondent, the lower court winner, argues that the lower court decision was correct and should be affirmed.
    The Conversation, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
  • Trump is correct that retail gas prices have been slow to come down.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers think this is because walking is a highly dynamic behaviour that requires precise timing across both sides of the body.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
  • Financial markets depend on precise timing to synchronize transactions.
    Mariam Sorond, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Television executives say those viewers have always been watching at bars, restaurants and other locations, so now the ratings are a more accurate reflection of the real audience size.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Available in a style with the same stripes that Paltrow favors, the top offers a subtle pattern that’ll make your outfit pop.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • The square neckline adds a flattering, feminine touch, while the subtle volume in the sleeves gives it a slightly dressier feel than your average tee.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The same mathematical approach underpins platforms such as Instagram, a wet market for faces, on which users self-brand and sell themselves—and on which the most successful products are those which top the algorithmic charts.
    Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The musical metaphor is particularly apt because gravitational waves oscillate much like sound waves, allowing researchers to analyze them with many of the same mathematical tools.
    Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, held their child in court, demanding the defendants remain behind bars.
    Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Trump had demanded Peters' release and threatened to withhold federal funds from Colorado if his demand was not met.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Both countries impose severe penalties on LGBTQ people.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • Starting on July 1, the California Department of Parks and Recreation can now impose new penalties on folks who fail to cancel their campsite reservations in a timely manner or fail to show for their reservation.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The necessity of it to my defence against a more heinous charge could alone have extorted from me so painful an indecorum.
    Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026
  • Perhaps our two states should work in coordination to address our relative strengths and weaknesses together instead of allowing billionaire NFL ownership to extort one state over another.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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