EXACTING Synonyms: 298 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'exacting' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome , onerous , and oppressive . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: When would 'burdensome' be a good substitute for 'exacting'?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

Q: Where would 'onerous' be a reasonable alternative to 'exacting'?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Q: When could 'oppressive' be used to replace 'exacting'?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

exacting 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzak-tiŋ

Definition of exacting

as in careful

hard to please he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rigorous

not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards the prep school's exacting standards for admission

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort the new recruits had to adjust themselves to the exacting discipline of military life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention writing will always be an exacting task

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exact

as in demanding

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

as in imposing

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

as in extorting

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 does the adjective exacting contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When would burdensome be a good substitute for exacting?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to exacting?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace exacting?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

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 exacting

Adjective

But the goods are here, and Mysius is an exacting, exhilarating filmmaker who is more than ready to be leveled up. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026 In the clip, Lu jokingly recalled being asked to pay $60 to check a backpack that just barely exceeded Spirit’s extremely exacting carry-on dimensions. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2026

Verb

Not only do organizers give their mostly women clients the permission to part with belongings, but also the permission to let go of exacting societal expectations like having a perfectly organized and spotless house. — Marianne Cooper, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 What happens when photographers take a ski vacation Walters’ exacting eye extended into retirement and visits with old Herald colleagues and best buds Peter Cross and Bruce Gilbert. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting

Adjective

Apply the serum directly to sparse areas of your brows, being careful to avoid letting the product touch other areas of your skin.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
According to the researchers, careful process design and optimization as well as architecture simplification could help in solving most of these issues, something that industrial production focuses on much more than academic researchers.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Every personal finance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home loan products.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But alongside serious thinkers such as Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Saidiya Hartman, less rigorous writers and ideas were also elevated.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.

— Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

For the healthcare providers in attendance, the party — which featured games and activities for the kids — is a chance to see the real-life impact of their often emotionally challenging work.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Because of the challenging terrain, the bridges are designed to be constructed without heavy machinery.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Verb

Transporting these items is repetitive and physically demanding work that can take nurses and other employees away from clinical responsibilities.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
In the small town of Manchester, New Jersey, Anne Cahalane was among a group of local residents demanding a similar ban on large computing hubs.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of demanding

Verb

In recent days, the White House has turned from threatening attacks to imposing sanctions.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The Savannah City Council is poised to join several other municipal and county governments along the I-95 corridor in imposing a 155-day moratorium on large data center developments.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imposing

Verb

In his report, Prescott said there is evidence substantiating the claim that Rodriguez-Mendez was extorting Guaranda.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 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 extorting

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“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exacting

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verb

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