exact

1 of 2

verb

ex·​act ig-ˈzakt How to pronounce exact (audio)
exacted; exacting; exacts
Synonyms of exactnext

transitive verb

1
: to call for forcibly or urgently and obtain
from them has been exacted the ultimate sacrifice—D. D. Eisenhower
2
: to call for as necessary or desirable
exactable
ig-ˈzak-tə-bəl How to pronounce exact (audio)
adjective
exactor noun
or less commonly exacter
ig-ˈzak-tər How to pronounce exact (audio)

exact

2 of 2

adjective

1
: exhibiting or marked by strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact or a standard
2
: marked by thorough consideration or minute measurement of small factual details
exactness
ig-ˈzak(t)-nəs How to pronounce exact (audio)
noun

Did you know?

To exact something is to not only demand it, but also obtain it. The most common things exacted—revenge, retribution, and that ilk—often require physical force, but other things exacted—such as penalties and prices, promises and concessions—can be obtained with gentler forms of persuasion. The variation is present in the word’s Latin ancestor too: exigere means “to drive out; to demand; and to measure.” Do not confuse the verb exact with the more common verb extract. Extract is primarily about removing something, and need not involve a demand: a dentist extracts a tooth from (we hope) a willing patient, and extracting juice from an orange carries no connotation of insistence. Note, though, that there are cases in which either verb can be used: confessions, for example, are sometimes said to be exacted or extracted, with both typically implying significant effort by the one obtaining the confession.

Synonyms

Verb

Adjective

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for exact

Verb

demand, claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something as due or as necessary.

demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.

demanded payment of the debt

claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.

claimed the right to manage his own affairs

require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.

the patient requires constant attention

exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Adjective

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth.

correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

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 of exact in a Sentence

Verb They would not rest until they had exacted revenge. He was able to exact a promise from them. Adjective Those were his exact words. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. We don't know the exact nature of the problem. Predicting the path of hurricanes is not an exact science. The police have an exact description of the killer. Please take the most exact measurements possible. He is very exact in the way he solves a problem.
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.
Verb
Cramer notes that manufacturing the glass to meet his exacting standards was initially difficult. —Rachel King, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Advertisement Sally Jacobs’ botanical art L.A. botanical artist Sally Jacobs does exacting, exquisite renderings of all things botanical, from gorgeous flowers to the gnarly details of a celery root to the rich Renaissance-style details of a turban squash (above). —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Unfortunately, for this exact reason, the studios decided to steer clear of the second weekend of November, which means there’s nothing else to talk about. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024 Scientists are still debating the exact nature of the core’s material. —Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exact 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English exacten "to require as payment," borrowed from Latin exāctus, past participle of exigere "to drive out, achieve, enforce payment of or the performance of (a task), require, inquire into, examine" from ex- ex- entry 1 + agere "to drive (cattle), be in motion, do, perform" — more at agent

Adjective

borrowed from Latin exāctus, from past participle of exigere "to drive out, achieve, require, inquire into, examine, measure" — more at exact entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exact was in 1533

Phrases Containing exact

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Dictionary Entries Near exact

exacerbate

exact

exacta

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exact. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

exact

1 of 2 verb
ex·​act ig-ˈzakt How to pronounce exact (audio)
1
: to demand and get by force or threat
exact burdensome concessions
2
: to call for as necessary or desirable
exact a high price
exaction
-ˈzak-shən
noun

exact

2 of 2 adjective
1
: fully and completely in agreement with fact, a standard, or an original
the exact time
an exact rhyme
an exact replica
2
: providing great accuracy
exact instruments
exactness
-ˈzak(t)-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on exact

Nglish: Translation of exact for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of exact for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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