exact 1 of 2

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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

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exact

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verb

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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

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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

Examples 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
James said other people were discussed — a notion Scott playfully challenged — but Mescal had the exact combination of qualities needed to step into Russell Crowe’s shoes. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024 All people seem to remember is the messiness of the exit process, but critics on the left and right had been demanding this exact thing for years. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Belew originally cut his teeth with the famously exacting Frank Zappa before working with David Bowie, Talking Heads and the Tom Tom Club. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2024 Liam Payne’s story, while heartbreaking, serves as a stark reminder of the immense toll that fame can exact on the youngest among us. Will Ripley, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exact 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
Adjective
  • Photos snapped by the phone are generally good, look bright, punchy, and correct exposure.
    Ben Sin, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • That’s due in part to our careful checks and balances that ensure correct and fair tallies, including routine audits.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Beyond knowing what the terms mean, also know this: Ratings are not precise.
    Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Ahead of the collaboration, Chong traveled to China and returned with a very precise tech pack with all the materials Kane could possibly need for collection development.
    Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Provide accurate and real-time tracking of their shipments, and make sure your processes are end-user-friendly.
    Raheel Sheikh, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Athleta is celebrating Singles Day early with 25% off everything Shop early Black Friday purse deals for up to 85% off Coach, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The effect of these systems is subtle, as the driver should feel heroic, not overridden.
    Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Google | 🌱💡 The tech company continues to roll out subtle but smart sustainability features across many of its platforms.
    CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Asymmetric encryption, while more secure for certain scenarios, is slower due to complex mathematical operations.
    Ofer Lidsky, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Blood quantum, with its mathematical fussiness and emphasis on purity, bears little relationship to many tribes’ pre-contact approaches to belonging, which tended to be based on a looser approach to kinship.
    Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This visit comes as Apple seeks to integrate its Apple Intelligence suite into devices sold in the region, navigating a complex regulatory environment that demands careful negotiation and local partnerships.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Rather on theme, the lineup managed to convey permission to laugh rather than demand guffaws.
    Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But the court found that narrow limits can be imposed to serve overriding state interests.
    Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Brazilian Supreme Court’s Justice Alexandre de Moraes imposed the ban, citing misinformation on X, which the judge felt was not adequately moderated on the platform.
    Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The former governor was convicted on corruption charges in 2011 for attempting to extort campaign donations from a children’s hospital and for attempting to sell former President Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat.
    Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Sep. 2024
  • That investigation began after Torres told police that a 21-year-old Chicago man continued to extort him — threatening to release nude photos and videos — if Torres failed to meet his financial demands.
    Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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