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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
This lets the overall structure sense its exact physical shape without external wiring or bulky mechanical sensors. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 That is, with almost no translation required, the exact difference between the Chinese students who used AI like a tutor and kept practicing, and the ones who used it to skip the practice altogether. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
Even then, Jacobs’s exacting vision, and his tension with his own industry, was apparent. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026 Land competition is fierce, and site requirements are exacting. — Brian Cross, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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
  • Processor defenses leave a tiny opening Modern processors improve performance by predicting which path a program is likely to follow and beginning the work before the correct path is confirmed.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Officials said the school also improved its graduation rate from 75% to 95% and its faculty saw in the number holding the proper credentials — from 43 to more than 90 who have the correct subject matter licenses.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • And most simulants of lunar material are faithful in their geological characteristics, to simulate the lunar surface and its dust, rather than the precise chemistry within.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • How the landslide happened The precise cause of the landslide remains under investigation.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of precise
Adjective
  • The more accurate framing is that many of these fees are supplier-imposed and disclosed in booking terms that travelers frequently do not read in full.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Maher noted that many of those candidates were heavy favorites to win but agreed that his statement was not accurate.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • About a decade later, the researchers Simon Broadbent and John Hammersley — wanting to understand the carbon filters in gas masks — developed a mathematical model.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Golden Mean, created by Kyrsten Mate and Jon Sarriugarte, takes its form from the mathematical golden ratio.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mathematical
Verb
  • Several cities and counties have demanded the removal of Flock cameras.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trautwein, a two-time national champion at Florida, demands relentless work ethic and attention to detail.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of demand
Verb
  • And while several Asian countries imposed emergency measures to conserve fuel, a lengthy and catastrophic shortage never materialized.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meta agreed to impose changes including a default two-hour daily time limit for teens across Facebook and Instagram, muted notifications during school hours, and enhanced parental controls, with more updates potentially on the horizon.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • The 99-year lease requires the USTA to share revenue with the city and pay for its own infrastructure, an unheard of arrangement today, when sports franchises routinely extort the government for subsidies and tax breaks.
    — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In his report, Prescott said there is evidence substantiating the claim that Rodriguez-Mendez was extorting Guaranda.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of extort

Browse Nearby Words

exacerbating
exact
exacted
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All