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 only problem: This is an elaborate two-part copycat that blatantly plagiarized the exact contents of earlier X posts that happened months before.

From Slate

Judges have struggled even to define how copyright infringement principles apply to technology that doesn’t output exact copies of copyrighted works but “mimics” them — rather like how the beverage machine in Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” delivered “a cupful of liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.”

From Los Angeles Times

While its exact origins or founder is unknown, scholars and activists agree that the 4B movement began in South Korea sometime after 2015, as part of a wider wave of youth-led radical feminism popularized through online forums.

From Los Angeles Times

The exact alignments and deals are impossible to predict, and much will depend on the individuals appointed to key positions.

From BBC

Steve Gonzalez confirmed that the bear was not tagged, so the department was not certain of the bear’s exact home, though it’s likely the nearby national forest.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compel
• extort
• extract
• impose
• wrest