First Known Use: 1564
Dictionary
1exact
verb ex·act \ig-ˈzakt\
: to demand and get (something, such as payment or revenge) especially by using force or threats
—used in phrases like exact a terrible toll and exact a high/heavy price to say that something has caused a lot of suffering, loss, etc.
Full Definition of EXACT
transitive verb
1
: to call for forcibly or urgently and obtain <from them has been exacted the ultimate sacrifice — D. D. Eisenhower>
2
: to call for as necessary or desirable
— ex·act·able \-ˈzak-tə-bəl\ adjective
— ex·ac·tor also ex·act·er \-ˈzak-tər\ noun
See exact defined for English-language learners
See exact defined for kids
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Origin of EXACT
Middle English, to require as payment, from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere to drive out, demand, measure, from ex- + agere to drive — more at agent
Related to EXACT
- Synonyms
- call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, enjoin, demand, insist (on), press (for), quest, stipulate (for)
- Antonyms
- remit
Synonym Discussion of EXACT
demand, claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something as due or as necessary. demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands <demanded payment of the debt>. claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right <claimed the right to manage his own affairs>. require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation <the patient requires constant attention>. exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands <exacts absolute loyalty>.
Rhymes with EXACT
abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked
2exact
adjective
: fully and completely correct or accurate
: very careful and accurate
Full Definition of EXACT
1
: exhibiting or marked by strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact or a standard
2
: marked by thorough consideration or minute measurement of small factual details
— ex·act·ness \-ˈzak(t)-nəs\ noun
See exact defined for English-language learners
Origin of EXACT
Latin exactus
First Known Use: 1533
Related to EXACT
Synonym Discussion of EXACT
correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong. correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects <correct your spelling>. rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed <rectify a misguided policy>. emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript <emend a text>. remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil <set out to remedy the evils of the world>. redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance <redress past social injustices>. amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes <amend a law>, reform implying drastic change <plans to reform the court system>, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes <revise the schedule>.
correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error <correct answers> <socially correct dress>. accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care <an accurate description>. exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth <exact measurements>. precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation <precise calibration>. nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination <makes nice distinctions>. right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault <the right thing to do>.
correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error <correct answers> <socially correct dress>. accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care <an accurate description>. exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth <exact measurements>. precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation <precise calibration>. nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination <makes nice distinctions>. right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault <the right thing to do>.
EXACTNESS Defined for Kids
1exact
adjective ex·act \ig-ˈzakt\
Definition of EXACT for Kids
: completely correct or precise : accurate <an exact copy> <the exact time>
— ex·act·ly adverb
— ex·act·ness noun
2exact
verb
ex·act·edex·act·ing
Definition of EXACT for Kids
: to demand and get by force or threat <They exacted terrible revenge.>
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