1
as in careful
hard to please
he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well done
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exacting
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024
The French have the historical edge, at least of topiary in its most exacting forms, with the grand formal gardens at the Palace of Versailles and swaths of rounded, bubbling topiary at the gardens of Marqueyssac.
—Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Each gemstone was set by hand in an exacting process by Bixler’s craftsmen.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for exacting
Adjective
The painter’s attempts to capture reality — so exacting, so careful, so prepared — end in what looks like failure.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024
The French have the historical edge, at least of topiary in its most exacting forms, with the grand formal gardens at the Palace of Versailles and swaths of rounded, bubbling topiary at the gardens of Marqueyssac.
—Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
The settlement was a result of a long-running antitrust case in which the two credit card network giants allegedly overcharged merchants by exacting excessive interchange fees, also called swipe fees.
—Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Each gemstone was set by hand in an exacting process by Bixler’s craftsmen.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for exacting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting
Adjective
-
There’s potential for clarity in resolving any lingering tension, but also be careful not to speak too rashly.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
3 Mar. 2025
-
In comments at the Morgan Stanley media conference, the Fox CEO was again extremely careful to stress that the goal is not to cannibalize linear television and Fox will not advertise it on linear television but is meant purely to capture those who cut the cord or have never subscribed to cable.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
All in all, even a moderate approach was like 12-hours of rigorous cardio.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2025
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Every mortgage article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of mortgage products.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But their happy romance is soon demolished when Jenny reappears in their lives, thrusting all three into a difficult and messy journey towards true accountability and adulthood.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
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These protein complexes are highly shape-shifting, making traditional imaging methods very difficult.—
Priyanka Naik,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This can be a challenging variable to track, given that there were insufficient details about the victim's mental health status in approximately 30% of incidents, Rad said.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Builders are facing a challenging market with mixed economic signals.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets around Syria including in the capital Damascus demanding protection for religious minorities following the Christmas tree burning, which took place in the city of Hama around 200 km north of Damascus last night.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Dec. 2024
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Jodie Turner-Smith is demanding that her estranged husband Joshua Jackson pay her child and spousal support in their ongoing divorce.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Temporarily suppressing our rational thought and imposing randomness supercharges unconscious processes.—
Hulan Hagen,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
At the imposing stone Hotel Pordoi, a former church school on the onetime Austrian border, at more than 7,000 feet, the xx plays on the stereo.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
One humble wardrobe staple in particular is on the brain right now: tank tops.—
Freya Drohan,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
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Built in the mid-2000s, the sprawling estate is a very particular vision of turn-of-the-21st-century luxury (see: the Tuscan kitchen replete with dark wood cabinetry).—
Paula Mejía,
Billboard,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Four years on—late in 2024 but well in advance of the Type 00’s public debut in Miami—Robb Report was invited to Gaydon to see the result under conditions of the strictest secrecy.—
Ben Oliver,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2025
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While seafood imports must meet strict federal safety regulations, this catfish recall underscores the challenges of monitoring international food supply chains.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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