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

• exˈactable, adjective
• exˈactness, noun
• exˈactor, 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

The exact impact of these tariffs is hard to discern, considering that the full effects can take years to settle in and the inflationary impact of the pandemic makes it difficult to draw straight lines.

From Salon

The GPS sensor provides the exact location of the tagged individual at a specific point in time.

From Science Daily

“If you had that document with that exact verbiage issued by a CEO of a publicly traded company, they would be charged with fraud in two seconds. That is insider trading.”

From BBC

Using food photos also allowed the Stevens team to accurately track the exact timing of meals and snacks, and to explore the way that patterns of eating behavior correlated with total energy and nutrient intake.

From Science Daily

“And then last Friday, when that exact journalist responded and said, ‘Hey, I’m alive b***h,’ that is extremely brat.”

From Salon

Related Words

• compel
• extort
• extract
• impose
• wrest