1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference
we will meet at exactly six o'clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in directly
in the same words
a plagiarism suit alleging that one historian had copied large segments of another's text exactly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in strictly
without any relaxation of standards or precision
follow the rules exactly and you won't get into trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in quite
to a full extent or degree
she listened to the advice, then did exactly what she wanted to anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in yes
used to express agreement
"Are you calling me a liar?" "Exactly."
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of exactly
Quantum physics says information can never be destroyed, yet black holes seem to do exactly that.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
How exactly did Zac plan to profit from his?
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
But what exactly should be the prayer for Kristi and Bryon?
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Which is exactly what the Gamecocks did.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
How exactly did Zac plan to profit from his?
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
But what exactly should be the prayer for Kristi and Bryon?
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Which is exactly what the Gamecocks did.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
Adverb
-
Their facility would use just 2% of a hyperscaler’s power and occupy about 2% as much space, according to the company.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
That just felt so, almost traumatizing to even imagine.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Patterns were planned so precisely that every inch of fabric ended up in the garment, nothing left on the floor, nothing headed for a landfill.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Prior to the translunar injection, the crew completed a perigee raise burn to position the spacecraft in the correct orbital geometry for the maneuver, ensuring the engine firing would place Orion precisely on its intended path.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Wayfinding signage will direct you to the pedestrian bridge over the canal, which leads directly to Miami Freedom Park and Nu Stadium.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Buahan is strictly adults-only and won’t welcome guests below 18 years of age.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Those living with Type 2 diabetes tend to have coverage through insurance, while those looking to use GLP-1s strictly for weight loss have a harder time finding coverage.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
No restaurant does classic Roman quite like Piatto Romano, a cluttered trattoria smack dab in the middle of Testaccio.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
At the start of the year, Jacob Elordi sat on the Jimmy Kimmel sofa to promote Wuthering Heights, wearing a pair of off-white Bottega Veneta loafers that were not quite ballet flats, but ascribed to this hybrid style (though many users compared them to ballet flats online).—
Jack Stanley,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
To a trader, a lot of this looks familiar—essentially a yes-or-no bet on an outcome.—
byDoug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Denver City Council should vote yes.—
Michael Hancock,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Brazil went right back down the pitch and earned a penalty kick after Endrick came together with defender Josip Sutalo.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The ball rolled right to Maura Hayes for the easy score in front of the net.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In the regional final against Notre Dame, Heckel drove past her defender and hit a falling-down right-hander that bounced perfectly off the glass and in right before the buzzer and gave UConn a 32-25 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The operation seemingly goes perfectly, allowing Conley to walk off with another success.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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