EXACTLY Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

exactly

adverb

ig-ˈzak-(t)lē

Definition of exactly

as in just

as stated or indicated without the slightest difference we will meet at exactly six o'clock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in precisely

in the same manner he wants to be exactly like his father

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in directly

in the same words a plagiarism suit alleging that one historian had copied large segments of another's text exactly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strictly

without any relaxation of standards or precision follow the rules exactly and you won't get into trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quite

to a full extent or degree she listened to the advice, then did exactly what she wanted to anyway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in yes

used to express agreement "Are you calling me a liar?" "Exactly."

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exactly That's exactly what makes New York so fabulous in the first place. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 There is even elegance in the details of the neighborhood’s founding myth, which played out exactly 250 years ago. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026 Also excluded from the government's count is Prisciliano Trejo Ricano, who died exactly five weeks after he was arrested by ICE. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 Nobody remembers on the Tuesday in March when a supervisor's registration lapses, and that is exactly the version of this that actually happens. — Jp Montoya, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exactly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly

Adverb

If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too.

— Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

There are times when that kind of fiscal response is precisely the right thing to do.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Unfortunately for the handful of players fated to a long wait Tuesday, the skies opened in the middle of the afternoon, precisely at the time that the first-round matches that had been held over were scheduled to be played.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of precisely

Adverb

Now Betancourt’s company, North American Blue Energy Partners, based in Barbados, could be one of the first private firms to directly participate in Venezuela’s oil industry since it was nationalized half a century ago.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
Playing the helpful citizen, Martinez drove his literal truckload of ALPR bits directly to the Sheriff’s department, where he was promptly taken into custody.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of directly

Adverb

The brand added that the toothbrush’s camera feed is strictly live and optional, with no images or video stored on the app or the phone, and no access for the company at any point.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Pizza, once found strictly in casual pizzerias, is now on the menu.

— Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of strictly

Adverb

If your lawn grass was already quite thin, topdressing with a thin layer of quality topsoil is recommended.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
As a shocking chart by the Wall Street Journal illustrates, the amount of capital spent on non-data center construction in the US has quite literally fallen off a cliff, while the capital deployed to build data centers soars into the stratosphere.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of quite

Adverb

The table then stows away, and the bench cushions rearrange to create a side-facing love seat positioned perfectly for viewing the drop-down projection screen just above the entryway.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
On the plus side, Ritchson and Wilson display a winning chemistry, their contrasting physicality and acting styles working perfectly for their characters.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of perfectly

Browse Nearby Words

exactitude

exactly

exactness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exactly

adverb

Example Sentences

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