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as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent gave him the precise amount that he owed him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word precise different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of precise are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

When would accurate be a good substitute for precise?

The words accurate and precise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

In what contexts can correct take the place of precise?

Although the words correct and precise have much in common, correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When is it sensible to use exact instead of precise?

In some situations, the words exact and precise are roughly equivalent. However, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

When could nice be used to replace precise?

The synonyms nice and precise are sometimes interchangeable, but nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How do right and correct relate to one another, in the sense of precise?

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

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 precise That means the probe must fire rocket engines in a precise sequence to steer its way past rocks, craters and other obstacles, in order to find a perfect landing site. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025 For many people, coding is about telling a computer what to do and having the computer perform those precise actions repeatedly. Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025 Jacquemus declined to give precise business targets, but both described lots of runway for development. Miles Socha, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025 Redick seemed to have Doncic with the ball in his hands more than previous games, and Doncic used these touches to bludgeon this Nuggets defense repeatedly with precise shooting and strong finishing. Mikai Bruce, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • But new correspondence with The Times raises questions about whether that narrative is accurate, or if Bass is withholding public records.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Enhanced Decision Making Centralized content management enhances decision making by giving employees access to accurate, up-to-date information far quicker.
    Daniel Fallmann, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In short: There’s no correct answer; no handbook dictating the exact right way to preserve an entire country’s cultural history.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Put differently, pollsters failed to set the correct expectations for 2024.
    Clifford Young, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The exact treatment will depend on the type of rash and its specific cause.
    Cristina Mutchler, Health, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The color was an almost exact match for her silver-and-gold gown, with a smoky, shiny cool silver-gray tone contrasted with her dark blonde roots.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But while Connecticut is largely forested, only about one-tenth of 1% of all forest land in the state is considered true old-growth forest.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This becomes even more true if a recession does result.
    Steve Banker, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Owners of specific The Sims 4 expansions are getting extra interactions with the burglar, too.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • While details on the specific death in Lubbock are still unknown, experts have long warned that measles complications that can result in death in children.
    Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have published a paper demonstrating a new mathematical training approach for AI neural networks that is 100 times faster than current methods with similar accuracy, resulting in less energy demand.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • So somebody might try to construct a mathematical theorem and then hundreds or even thousands of years later, somebody else finishes it off.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The chairman alleged Sherman colluded with some board members to wrest control by making changes to the board’s composition by appointing two new directors without proper vetting by the nominations committee.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The on and off ramps at Exit 74 on I-95 lack the proper acceleration and deceleration lanes that merge on and off I-95.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The integrity of our legal system depends on accurate information and authentic legal authority.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The tone and grit is authentic to the original show, and the writing never feels too dissimilar.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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