exact 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of exactnext
1
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard maybe I wasn't being very exact when I said I had done it a million times—but it sure seemed like it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
as in accurate
following an original exactly an exact replica of an aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the company stresses that its optical telescopes are exact instruments and should not be handled as toys

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in mathematical
meeting the highest standard of accuracy in order for the blind to fit properly, we must have the exact measurements of the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exact

2 of 2

verb

ig-ˈzakt How to pronounce exact (audio)
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
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty vowed to exact a heavy fine from any hockey player engaging in such outrageous behavior on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Many had the exact skill sets needed to turn AI labs into money-making enterprises. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 The other problem is that the referees addressed that exact question after the game. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Strategic bunkering further enhances the challenge, ensuring that what appears to be a straightforward short iron can quickly become one of the course's most exacting tests. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 While Chang’s visual work is a means to consider the harm exacted on Chinese communities in early US history, so is the poem at the heart of the book. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
  1. correct
  2. precise
  3. accurate
  4. subtle
  5. mathematical
  6. demand
  7. impose
  8. extort
Adjective
  • Many people struggled to determine how much liquid to add to dissolve the powder and the correct dose to draw up once it was dissolved.
    — C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And the only person who is the correct heir to the throne is Johnny Knoxville.
    — Julian Le Ballister, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • Because of all the water, accuracy off-the-tee and with your irons is important at TPC Southwind, and Kim is one of the most precise ball-strikers in the world.
    — Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The more precise reality is that the shortage causing the reevaluation of memory was outlined by the company in its disclosures regarding wafer capacity months ahead of the price increase.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of precise
Adjective
  • The prerequisite to knowing business value is a cost model that is comprehensive, accurate and trusted.
    — Udam Dewaraja, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • My son was diagnosed with a spontaneous variant resulting in Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, and my daughter ultimately received an accurate genetic diagnosis of Phelan-McDermid syndrome after years of unanswered questions.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • The herbal shiso adds a subtle savory depth, delivering a clean, refreshing balance to the textures and flavor.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ask someone to review a two-hour video and identify subtle violations, and they are almost guaranteed to miss something.
    — Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Disruptive technologies do not scale based on their abstract, mathematical capability.
    — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Two of the most exciting results, the experts say, incorporate preexisting ideas from the recent mathematical literature without properly citing them.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of mathematical
Verb
  • The key is to discern between a demanding leader, who pushes for excellence while respecting boundaries, and a destructive one.
    — Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Tehran is demanding compensation for pollution in waters in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas, after video geolocated by CNN showed oil washing up on a beach around Qeshm Island, near the strait.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of demand
Verb
  • As opposed to grander, more institutional museums which can feel staid or imposing, the staff here are all warm and welcoming.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In a live context, and with the limits imposed by a hardware-heavy setup, there’s more possibility that the process will throw out some startling mutation.
    — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • Dowen also admitted to using threats and violence against a victim and their family to extort the victim for millions of dollars and a drug-manufacturing recipe.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • He is accused of extorting minors to write names on their naked skin, cut themselves and stick objects such as knives into their genitals.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of extort

Browse Nearby Words

exacerbating
exact
exacted
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Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of exact for Spanish Speakers

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