exacting 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzak-tiŋ How to pronounce exacting (audio)
Definition of exactingnext
1
as in careful
hard to please he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well done

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rigorous
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards the prep school's exacting standards for admission

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort the new recruits had to adjust themselves to the exacting discipline of military life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention writing will always be an exacting task

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exact
1
as in demanding
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority every war inevitably exacts the greatest sacrifice possible from some of the nation's best and brightest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imposing
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty vowed to exact a heavy fine from any hockey player engaging in such outrageous behavior on the ice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in extorting
to get (as money) by the use of force or threats that loan shark can be counted upon to exact repayment of his loan by whatever means necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective exacting contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When would burdensome be a good substitute for exacting?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to exacting?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace exacting?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exacting
Adjective
The company does acknowledge that potential issues may affect timelines – including that CNC machining titanium to tight tolerances being an exacting, expensive process. —Omar Kardoudi march 05, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2026 This year’s trends, structured silhouettes in black, vibrant accents, and striking high jewelry are more exacting than ever. —Alex Badia, Footwear News, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
Told with exacting restraint yet as layered as the lacquer on an ebony Biedermeier console, this forms a loose triptych with Pawlikowski’s last two features, Ida and Cold War, both of which were set at least partly behind the Iron Curtain. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026 Colleagues describe Perakis-Valat as equal parts competitive and personable, an exacting leader who uses humor to defuse tense situations, someone who inspires his teams with intelligence and warmth. —Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting
  1. careful
  2. rigorous
  3. difficult
  4. challenging
  5. demanding
  6. imposing
  7. extorting
  8. particular
Adjective
  • The tunnel was built after careful planning and executed with tremendous effort.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Students reportedly balanced rigorous courses and activities Many of the students took difficult classes such as AP Physics, AP Economics and multivariable calculus while also participating in clubs, sports and community organizations.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • The report goes on to say separate academies for immigrant and refugee students can deny them access to rigorous coursework and diverse elective options, and can hinder their academic process and social integration.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • When Thomson went through a difficult divorce, in 2014, Djena would often check in on her, showing up at her door with food.
    — Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Crow-Armstrong had just failed to make a highly difficult, leaping catch at the wall.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Essential in this most challenging of environments.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • That’s what will make the job challenging and difficult.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Definition of challenging
Verb
  • There will always be an undertone of uneasiness, but Leetch has chosen to focus on the positives, particularly how Keenan’s demanding style led to the best conditioning of his career.
    — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • The system is also built for reliability, offering resistance to dust, drops, and impacts while supporting millions of operation cycles across demanding environments.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Definition of demanding
Verb
  • Most are talking about imposing significantly higher business taxes to pay for new or expanded programs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Yet that cannot be wielded, either logically or honestly, as an excuse for imposing war on the noble Cuban people.
    — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Definition of imposing
Verb
  • The report describes Indigenous patrols in Venezuela allegedly working alongside armed groups controlling mining areas and extorting workers along river routes.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
  • Dozens of armed groups run rampant in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, extorting businesses, kidnapping people and driving farmers off their land.
    — Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of extorting
Adjective
  • Now better training methods and new technology—in particular, camera and radar networks that can precisely measure a ball’s movement and create three-dimensional models of a pitcher’s mechanics—have helped pitchers learn to throw harder and harder.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • That particular section, which sets new standards around warehouse operations and gives employees more information about company quotas and biometric surveillance, has drawn pushback from CBIA.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Definition of particular

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Cite this Entry

“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on exacting

Nglish: Translation of exacting for Spanish Speakers

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