inexact

adjective

in·​ex·​act ˌi-nig-ˈzakt How to pronounce inexact (audio)
1
: not precisely correct or true : inaccurate
an inexact translation
2
: not rigorous and careful
an inexact thinker
inexactly adverb
inexactness noun

Examples of inexact in a Sentence

The measurements were somewhat inexact, but they were close enough. a thousand is an inexact figure for the number of islands in the St. Lawrence River
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Advertisement No matter the drug, microdosing is an inexact art. Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 The Roman allegory — in which Cesar aspires to change his government while fulfilling his creative hubris, enjoying the perks of fickle celebrity — is both inexact and unoriginal. Armond White, National Review, 4 Oct. 2024 Trump and others who seek to cast doubt on the data have taken advantage of the fact that measuring crime is a complex, inexact science, and not every data source is consistent. Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024 No single study has tracked the reasons for gun ownership over time, making comparisons inexact, but similar studies have found that about 26% of Americans reported owning a gun for protection in 1999. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for inexact 

Word History

Etymology

French, from in- + exact exact

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inexact was circa 1828

Dictionary Entries Near inexact

Cite this Entry

“Inexact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexact. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

inexact

adjective
in·​ex·​act ˌin-ig-ˈzakt How to pronounce inexact (audio)
: not exactly correct or true : inaccurate
inexact measurements
inexactly adverb
inexactness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inexact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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