exact

[ ig-zakt ]

/ ɪgˈzækt /

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See synonyms for: exact / exacted / exacting / exactness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

strictly accurate or correct: an exact likeness; an exact description.

precise, as opposed to approximate: the exact sum; the exact date.

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

capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.

characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.

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

verb (used with object)

to call for, demand, or require: to exact respect from one's children.

to force or compel the payment, yielding, or performance of: to exact money; to exact tribute from a conquered people.

OTHER WORDS FOR exact

3 rigid, severe, unbending.

5 methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous.

8 wring.

See synonyms for exact on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR exact

1, 2 imprecise.

See antonyms for exact on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of exact

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

synonym study for exact

8. See extract.

OTHER WORDS FROM exact

ex·act·a·ble, adjectiveex·act·er, ex·ac·tor, nounex·act·ness, nounnon·ex·act·a·ble, adjective

pre·ex·act, adjective, verb (used with object)qua·si-ex·act, adjectivequa·si-ex·act·ly, adverbun·ex·act·ed, adjective

Words nearby exact

ex, exa-, exabyte, exacerbate, exacerbated, exact, exacta, exact differential, exacting, exaction, exactitude

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use exact in a sentence

He would not disclose the exact revenue earned or how much these partnerships contribute to the publisher’s overall revenue breakdown.
How TheSoul Publishing grew revenue via platforms with viral social media life hacks|Kayleigh Barber|February 12, 2021|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.
Lincoln Project’s avowed ignorance of Weaver texts undercut by leaked communications|Chris Johnson|February 9, 2021|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.
When Madison Cawthorn Felt ‘Invisible’|Eugene Robinson|February 9, 2021|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.
Late-night TV sensation Amber Ruffin and her sister co-wrote a book about racism. And, yes, it’s hilarious.|Hau Chu|February 8, 2021|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.
Super Bowl highlights: Bucs celebrate championship, Tom Brady wins MVP|Des Bieler, Mark Maske, Chuck Culpepper|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
And by the time an airplane was in the water, its exact position would be known.
Red Tape and Black Boxes: Why We Keep ‘Losing’ Airliners in 2014|Clive Irving|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He will tell you why became a cop with the exact same words used by DePrimo and many of their fellow officers.
Protesters Slimed This Good Samaritan Cop|Michael Daly|December 16, 2014|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.
Even Grade School Kids Are Protesting the Garner Killing Now|Caitlin Dickson|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cooper had little Alexis pose for a picture on the exact spot there Garner was pinned.
‘I Can’t Breathe!’ ‘I Can’t Breathe!’ A Moral Indictment of Cop Culture|Michael Daly|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While difficult to estimate exact numbers, thousands of Americans die every year because of delayed or denied claims.
My Insurance Company Killed Me, Despite Obamacare|Malcolm MacDougall|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As company after company appeared, we were able to form a pretty exact estimate of their numbers.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
A method of Vacuity pure and simple—the exact opposite of Mental Assimilation.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
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.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
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.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Carrying these suggestions to the text, they help fix the exact number of times the word “bells” occurs in each line.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

/ (ɪɡˈzækt) /

adjective

correct in every detail; strictly accuratean exact copy

precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor lessthe exact sum

(prenominal) specific; particularthis exact spot

operating with very great precisionexact instruments

allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strictan exact mind

based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classificationphysics is an exact science

verb (tr)

to force or compel (payment or performance); extortto exact tribute

to demand as a right; insist uponto exact respect from one's employees

to call for or requirethis work exacts careful effort

Derived forms of exact

exactable, adjectiveexactness, nounexactor or exacter, noun

Word Origin for exact

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

exact

OTHER WORDS FOR exact

OPPOSITES FOR exact

Origin of exact

synonym study for exact

OTHER WORDS FROM exact

Words nearby exact

Words related to exact

How to use exact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exact

Derived forms of exact

Word Origin for exact