adj · adv · verb · 13 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ɪɡˈzækt/
/ɛɡ-/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ækt
CMU ARPABET:IH0 G Z AE1 K T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The clock keeps exact time.
He paid the exact debt.
an exact copy of a letter
exact accounts
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Habitually careful to agree with a standard, a rule, or a promise; accurate; methodical; punctual.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a man exact in observing an appointment
In my doings I was exact.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Precisely or definitely conceived or stated; strict.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Such that the kernel of each morphism is the image of the preceding one.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: homological algebra
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Such that it preserves short exact sequences.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: homological algebra
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: left exact, right exact
6
adv
Meaning 6
exactly
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
She's wearing the exact same sweater as I am!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To demand and enforce the payment or performance of, sometimes in a forcible or imperious way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive
Examples
to exact tribute, fees, or obedience from someone
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To make desirable or necessary.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To inflict; to forcibly obtain or produce; to visit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
to exact revenge on someone
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
adjective
Meaning 10
marked by strict and particular and complete accordance with fact
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
an exact mind
an exact copy
hit the exact center of the target
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: inexact
11
adjective satellite
Meaning 11
(of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth ; strictly correct
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a precise image
a precise measurement
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: accurate, precise
Antonyms: none provided
12
verb
Meaning 12
take as an undesirable consequence of some event or state of affairs
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the accident claimed three lives
The hard work took its toll on her
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: claim, take
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: necessitate, ask, postulate, need, require, take, involve, call for, demand
13
verb
Meaning 13
claim as due or just
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The bank demanded payment of the loan
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: demand
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: claim
Narrower terms: command, call, call in
History
Etymology
From Latin exāctus (the verb via Middle English exact), perfect passive participle of exigō (“demand, claim as due; measure by a standard, weigh, test”), from ex (“out”) + agō (“drive”).
Across languages
Translations
147 source translations are retained for this English entry.