exact

[ ig-zakt ]

adjective

1. strictly accurate or correct:

   an exact likeness; an exact description.

   Antonyms: imprecise

2. precise, as opposed to approximate:

   the exact sum; the exact date.

   Antonyms: imprecise

3. admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.

   Synonyms: unbending, severe, rigid

4. capable of the greatest precision:

   exact instruments.

5. characterized by or using strict accuracy:

   an exact thinker.

   Synonyms: scrupulous, demanding, punctilious, careful, methodical

6. Mathematics. (of a differential equation) noting that the collection of all terms, equated to zero, is an exact differential.

verb (used with object)

1. to call for, demand, or require:

   to exact respect from one's children.

2. to force or compel the payment, yielding, or performance of:

   to exact money; to exact tribute from a conquered people.

   Synonyms: wring

exact

/ ɪɡˈzækt /

adjective

1. correct in every detail; strictly accurate

   an exact copy

2. precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor less

   the exact sum

3. prenominal specific; particular

   this exact spot

4. operating with very great precision

   exact instruments

5. allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strict

   an exact mind

6. based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classification

   physics is an exact science

verb

1. to force or compel (payment or performance); extort

   to exact tribute

2. to demand as a right; insist upon

   to exact respect from one's employees

3. to call for or require

   this work exacts careful effort

Derived Forms

• exˈactor, noun
• exˈactable, adjective
• exˈactness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·acta·ble adjective
• ex·acter ex·actor noun
• ex·actness noun
• nonex·acta·ble adjective
• preex·act adjective verb (used with object)
• quasi-ex·act adjective
• quasi-ex·actly adverb
• unex·acted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exact¹

First recorded in 1525–45; late Middle English exacten (verb), from Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere “drive out, thrust out”), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + ag(ere) “to drive” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of exact¹

C16: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive

Synonym Study

See extract.

Example Sentences

He would not disclose the exact revenue earned or how much these partnerships contribute to the publisher’s overall revenue breakdown.

From Digiday

It’s not clear what the exact nature of the Daily Caller story was other than Weaver in the aftermath of him taking medical leave.

From Washington Blade

At that moment I realized that not everybody has the exact same perspective, not everybody has the exact same upbringing or the exact same privileged and fortunate life that I had.

From Ozy

At several points in the book, Ruffin interrupts the humor to acknowledge that many of her family’s experiences, when totaled up this way, exact a heavy burden.

From Washington Post

Only three points, to be exact, rather than the seven or eight Kansas City surely would have preferred, but kicker Harrison Butker did well to connect from 52 yards out.

From Washington Post

And by the time an airplane was in the water, its exact position would be known.

From The Daily Beast

He will tell you why became a cop with the exact same words used by DePrimo and many of their fellow officers.

From The Daily Beast

Behind him stood a flock of fifth-grade boys—and two second-grade girls—all of them wearing the exact same yellow hat.

From The Daily Beast

Cooper had little Alexis pose for a picture on the exact spot there Garner was pinned.

From The Daily Beast

While difficult to estimate exact numbers, thousands of Americans die every year because of delayed or denied claims.

From The Daily Beast

As company after company appeared, we were able to form a pretty exact estimate of their numbers.

From Project Gutenberg

A method of Vacuity pure and simple—the exact opposite of Mental Assimilation.

From Project Gutenberg

That was not the exact word that he used, but he expressed it by beating his tail against the table and giving a long howl.

From Project Gutenberg

Those were not his exact words, but I saw his answer in his eyes, for he had climbed higher and they were close to mine.

From Project Gutenberg

Carrying these suggestions to the text, they help fix the exact number of times the word “bells” occurs in each line.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compel
• extort
• extract
• impose
• wrest