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
To find your exact enrollment period, use the Social Security Administration’s Medicare enrollment calculator. — Karon Warren, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The exact motive behind this particular campaign remains unclear because determining the next step would require engaging with the sender. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
For Wilner-Deering, sharing the testimony matters partly because repeatedly recounting trauma can exact a heavy toll. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 The warm welcome, exacting attention to detail, and discreet ubiquity of the Raffles butlers more than live up to the high expectation Raffles has established as a brand. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 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
  • All signs were pointing to a simple typographical error, where Nature had printed 1841 instead of the correct year of 1848.
    — Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Ashby though, wearing the correct uniform, got Ohtani to strike out on three pitches, and Mookie Betts to ground out to shortstop to end the inning.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • However, the available demonstration does not specify the training setup, how responsibilities the divided between the learning methods, or the precise control architecture used during execution.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Traditional CPUs excel at sequential computing tasks, such as calculating a massive spreadsheet or running a precise physics simulation, as these often require executing steps in strict order at blazing speeds.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of precise
Adjective
  • State officials said the isolated instances of noncitizens voting, if accurate, are not evidence of widespread voter fraud.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To make good decisions, consumers need to rely on accurate information, but much of the hype around peptides is misleading.
    — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • Coleman said each design has its own distinct character and can be styled individually, either as a subtle everyday detail or a sculptural statement.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • As the researchers saw, introducing random mutation could still make subtle structural tweaks that produced enzymes that were considerably more active.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Using a universal mathematical framework, the researchers treated thermalization as a process that can bring different quantum systems into their corresponding thermal states.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Finding the right family required obscure mathematical objects called metaplectic forms, which Dunn has spent the past five years studying.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of mathematical
Verb
  • These tests will measure how effectively the hardware handles demanding workloads, although HPE has not disclosed specific processing speeds or expected benchmark results.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Many Worlds demands that our universe actually be a multiverse.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of demand
Verb
  • The ban had been imposed by the central elections committee, a political body dominated by Netanyahu allies, on the basis that the parties supported armed struggle against Israel.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The restrictions, imposed without warning early Thursday, cut the internet data connection when a communication terminal moves faster than 100 mph.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hill alleged school board members tried to extort her into resigning in a memo sent to the board ahead of her firing.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

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

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All