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exact

[ig-zakt]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exact ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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.

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RELATED WORDS

perfect, identical, definite, explicit, specific, literal, rigorous, correct, true, strict, meticulous, scrupulous, exacting, extort, wrest, impose, extract, compel, clear-cut, clear

Origin of exact

1400–50; late Middle English exacten (v.) < Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere drive out, thrust out), equivalent to ex- ex-1 + ag(ere) to drive + -tus past participle suffix
Related formsex·act·a·ble, adjectiveex·act·er, ex·ac·tor, nounex·act·ness, nounnon·ex·act·a·ble, adjectivepre·ex·act, adjective, verb (used with object)qua·si-ex·act, adjectivequa·si-ex·act·ly, adverbun·ex·act·ed, adjective

Synonyms for exact

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exact ON THESAURUS.COM
3. rigid, severe, unbending. 5. methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous. 8. wring. See extract.

Antonyms for exact

1, 2. imprecise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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Historical Examples of exact

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

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 Formsexactable, 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
Word Origin and History for exact
adj.

"precise, rigorous, accurate," 1530s, from Latin exactus "precise, accurate, exact," past participle of exigere "demand, require," literally "to drive or force out," also "demand, finish, measure," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + agere "drive, lead, act" (see act).

v.

mid-15c., from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere (see exact (adj.)). Older in English than the adjective and retaining the literal sense of the Latin source. Related: Exacted; exacting.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper