exact
adjective
strictly accurate or correct.
was exacting
-
past progressiveof exact.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most ominously, the “airborne garbage” we were breathing was exacting a price on everyone’s health.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
HIV infection rates had stabilized in the United States and Europe, but in sub-Saharan Africa, the virus was exacting a terrifying toll.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 15, 2022
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said F1 was "exacting" and required "special capacities and capabilities".
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2022
Robbins was exacting in how he cast his ballets, tailoring them for specific dancers; that’s how it works in Trockadero, too.
From New York Times ● Dec. 14, 2021
It was as if some angry god was exacting payment for their easy voyage north, when they had ridden a steady southerly from Drag- onstone to the Wall.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
