exactly
adverb
ex·act·ly
ig-ˈzak-(t)lē 
1
a
: in a manner or measure or to a degree or number that strictly conforms to a fact or condition
it's exactly 3 o'clock
these two pieces are exactly the same size
b
: in every respect : altogether, entirely
that was exactly the wrong thing to do
not exactly what I had in mind
2
: quite so
—used to express agreement
Synonyms
Examples of exactly in a Sentence
The levers need to be exactly positioned.
we will meet at exactly six o'clock
Recent Examples on the Web
Ordinary suburban houses are filled with electronic devices and equipment that can sometimes emit electromagnetic noise at exactly the frequencies that radio telescopes aim to detect.
—
The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The more Beijing believes that the United States is trying to weaken Chinese influence by driving a wedge between China and North Korea, the more valuable North Korea becomes to China—which may be exactly Pyongyang’s calculus.
—Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
That’s exactly what Detroit — trailing 23-7 — needed.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
Avoid fatalistic thinking Although the country has clarity on its next president, there are still plenty of unknowns about what exactly will unfold over the next four years.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exactly 
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The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The more Beijing believes that the United States is trying to weaken Chinese influence by driving a wedge between China and North Korea, the more valuable North Korea becomes to China—which may be exactly Pyongyang’s calculus.
—Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
That’s exactly what Detroit — trailing 23-7 — needed.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
Avoid fatalistic thinking Although the country has clarity on its next president, there are still plenty of unknowns about what exactly will unfold over the next four years.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exactly
Dictionary Entries Near exactly
Cite this Entry
“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exactly. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exactly
adverb
ex·act·ly
ig-ˈzak-(t)lē
1
a
: in an exact manner
do exactly as you're told
b
: so as to match fact or a state
at exactly three o'clock
exactly the same size
c
: in every way : altogether
that was exactly the wrong thing to do
not exactly what I had in mind
2
: quite so : just as you say
—used to express agreement
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