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
So do some research with your professional network or online for the best business broker for your exact situation. George Deeb, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 On one occasion, for instance, the exact vulnerability used in a hacking campaign was reported to Sophos by a researcher with a Chinese IP address just after it was first used in an exploitation campaign—Sophos paid the researcher $20,000 for their findings. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Combs did so by wielding an iron fist, exacting loyalty from his underlings with violence and threats. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024 The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating. Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exact 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exact
Adjective
  • If Lynch is correct, and McCaffrey’s legs are, too, this team will make the playoffs and push for the title.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • This indicator was also correct about the prior two Trump races.
    Matt Egan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Photoshop started the digital image manipulation revolution more than 30 years ago, and Adobe's groundbreaking application continues to be the best photo editing software money can buy (or rent, to be more precise).
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Forced back into combat, Billie Jean sets traps and executes precise strikes to outwit the attackers.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Combining genetics with historical information and archeological evidence allows researchers to paint both a more complete and more accurate picture, and demonstrates how teamwork from different disciplines can unearth rich, complex stories.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
  • This is where the LG G4 really excels, with colors that are just as accurate and much closer to covering the full digital cinema color space.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But even without winning an Editors' Choice award, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro commands attention with some subtle new features.
    Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The puzzle challenges players to group words based on subtle links, combining logic with language skills.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But his instinct is that the deeper mathematical description of nature from which space-time emerges will touch all of physics in some way, even with the mildest of ripples.
    Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Routing of traffic is essential and currently tends to be solved via symbolic or traditional mathematical means.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The company reported cryptocurrency mining revenue of $2.8 million, data hosting revenue of $4.3 million, and demand response service revenue of $443,000 for the quarter.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • There, Gong struck Li with a hammer and demanded the code to unlock her phone, the DA’s office alleged.
    Dennis Romero, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Arriving via the gorgeous gardens of Grosvenor Square, my partner and I oohed and aahed at the imposing marble, opulent chandeliers and old-world glamour of the hotel lobby.
    Caroline Dolby, theweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • China has railed against tariffs on its electric vehicles imposed by the EU and Washington among others.
    Chris Morris, Fortune Asia, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • 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
  • Typically, scammers will gain access to these accounts to help steal someone's identity, share posts about their scams or to extort a user into paying a ransom demand.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exact. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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